Engine flooding while trail driving

I recently experienced an problem while driving a trail in my '62 M38A1 which is equipped with a 225. After traveling about an hour in low range 2nd gear the engine coughed and quit. I was able to restart it by keeping the accelerator on the floor while cranking the engine. Black smoke came out of the exhaust as if the engine had been flooded. The same thing happened again about 45 minutes later. Is this a common occurrence? The carb (a Rochester G2) seems to be set fine for driving on pavement as I've never experienced this problem before driving a trail for an extended period of time. Is the jeep set up wrong or is there a driving technique that will help avoid this problem?

 

could the carb float be too high ?
otherwise, I've had good success with a pressure regulator installed in-line between the fuel pump and the carb; for slower, rocky, rough stuff, I set it at/turn it down to 1 or 1.5 lbs; just remember to turn it back up for highway driving, ie 5 lbs or so.

 

vapor lock issue? is the fuel pump return line hooked up?

 

I realize that ,but the motor could die , from vapor lock.it could have gone rich when he held the pedal to the floor to clear the cly.?

Simi-was the trail bumpy ?was it hot?and was there not much thottle action ,just a steady slow speed?

 

The trail was Camino Cielo Rd. from San Marcos Pass to Refugio Beach, near Santa Barbara. The drive was slow and steady with an elevation of about 3,000 ft. The weather was cool and moist with plenty of clouds scraping over the ridge between the pacific ocean and the Santa Ynez valley.

 

A friend of mine mentioned "loading the carburetor". He said that people have told him not to idle his boat for long periods because that "loads the carburetor" and that the operator should rev the engine once in a while. I'm not sure what carburetor loading is. Any thoughts?

 

I think there are many misconceptions about carbs, and loading the carb is an example. If your carb is assembled and installed properly, the engine should idle just fine until the fuel tank is empty.
Have you rebuilt your carb lately with a quality kit and replaced the float?
I did that to mine when I first bought it, and it made a significant difference in driveablity. The only complaint I have is roughness on rocky hill climbs, but I know this is a typical weakness of a carb.

 

I had the carburetor professionally rebuilt two years ago so I don't think that is the issue. The jeep runs great on the pavement. That is another reason I am asking about driving technique. The drive on this trail was not overly rough. We were cruising about 6 mph which is about an idle for second gear low range with the overdrive engaged.

-btw- I pretty new at off roading - so I really appreciate your input. Keep it coming

 

As I was reading through this thread this is what came to mind for me too. Have had it happen on occasion to me as well. Over time junk builds up in the float bowl and then the debris can work it's way between the needle valve and seat allowing too much gas in. Then it tends to overflow through the vent into the carb.

 

agree with the pressure regulator. i installed one on my jeep and a friends and have never had a problem. i ran it in such a way that i can turn a valve and the fuel will have to travel through the regulator, then when im done four wheeling all i have to do is turn the valve back, i used a small valve from a plumbing supply for natural gas, it is not leaked in 10 years. id post a pic but no can do.