Carb float and needle question

Ok here's my first question of many!!

After reading lots of posts on the leaky Carter carb, I pulled the carb apart to adjust the float and inspect the needle and seat. Low and behold, there was some debris keeping the needle from seating properly. I cleaned out the debris and adjusted the float. The service manual says that the needle has a spring to help keep it seated properly. There was no spring with the needle on mine...just the needle. Is this right?

Thanks,

Scott

 

Yes there should be a small spring on the needle in the original fuel valve designed for off road / rough use, What does your needle look like........does it have a rubber tip?
The tiny spring is very easy to loose, Is it on your workbench or in the bottom of the float bowl by chance?

 

yes, the needle is rubber tipped. If I'm looking at the service manual correctly, it looks like the spring is inserted in the needle (needle body is hollow?) The needle in my carb was solid brass other than the rubber tip.

 

Sounds like you have one of the later fuel valves, The rubber tipped fuel valve assembly is available both with and without a spring depending on application.

For example; the NAPA Jiffy Kit 2-5096 has both types of fuel valves in it, On the ones I have measured the unsprung needle goes with a seat that has an orfice of about .100, The spring loaded needle goes with a seat that has an orfice of .092.

The original fuel valve was a spring loaded metal needle with a fuel valve orfice of .076, Flooding is generally the result when the unsprung rubber tipped fuel vave is installed, Sometimes the spring loaded fuel valve with the .092 orfice will work but a fuel pressure regulator is usually needed with fuel valves having an orfice greater than .076.

The spring loaded rubber tipped fuel vave with its slightly larger orfice is a good unit when used with a pressure regulator set to between 2.5 and 3.5 psi ( if flooding becomes a problem ) so dont be afraid to go that route if it suits you. It is available separately at NAPA, Part # 2-3724.

Many of the usual parts suppliers have the spring loaded all metal .076 fuel valve as a separate component, You may have to shop around some. I have got them from Willys Overland.

I am assuming that your carb has the brass float.

Hope this helps.

 

Good answers, Brian. Fits with everything I've heard on the subject.

Also, the specs for float height adjustment may be slightly different for each type of needle. In original Carter literature it was 5/16" for the "solid needle/resilient seat", and 1/2" for "springloaded needle/solid seat."

Pete

 

:iagree: Yep, Your right. The different types of fuel valves and floats ( brass or foam ) all have slightly different settings.

 

Thanks Guys, I cleaned the seat, adjusted the float and put it all back together. Runs great and no flooding or leaking of gas. I did notice some sediment in the float bowl, so I need to clean that out asap. when that's done I'll put in a new needle and seat with the spring. Again thanks for the help and all the info