Starting Problem

[Archrms]

I went through everything again this morning after thinking about this all night. I double checked everything again, when I noticed that the front carb fuel bowl level was lower than it should be. While trying to adjust it, it started leaking from the screw, even after I locked it back down. Took carb off and pulled bowl off. Sure enough the float tang was bent. I bent it back in place, eyeballed an approximate float level, and reinstalled carb. It fired up after a few tries. Went through and adjusted all float levels with car running. Still trying to clear my lungs from all of the exhaust in the garage , but it was worth it.

Hopefully this solved the problem. Thanks to all for your input and suggestion. I will keep you all posted on final outcome.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Archrms

I had a friend look at carbs ... then proceeded to adjust the floats in both carbs.

Good to hear it's fixed. Now don't let that friend near your Cobra again, except to test the temperature of your sidepipes with the back of his calf.

[Archrms]

Took the car out for a quick spin. Ran fine until I stopped at a light, then it ran rough and wanted to stall. Coaxed it home and stalled in the garage. Lots of fumes/smoke from pipes after stall.

Pulled air cleaners, and found fuel dumping into the front carb from the primaries. Cranked engine while trying to adjust float level. The more I adjust (lower) it keeps pouring out the sight hole. At least it stopped pouring into the intake from the carb primaries.

I'm thinking the needle is stuck open in the front carb primaries, which may have been the cause of the oroiginal problem. If ity was stuck open, and kept filling the bowl, my friend would have kept lowering the adjusting screw, whiich eventually bent the tang when it bottomed out.

I know the float was correct and the fuel level adjusted before taking it out for the ride. Therefore, the needle stuck open afterwards.

What do you think, and how do I fix it?

[Bobcat]

If it were mine , I would replace both needle valves and also check the floats to make sure that don`t have a leak/pinhole in them . The fuel today deteriorates fairly quickly and forms varnish if left sitting for any period of time . I had the front carb on my 427 Galaxie do just that last week . Took the float needle valve out and let it soak in lacquer thinner for several hours , checked it for free action and reinstalled ( they were new as of this spring ). Engine ran fine . Same symptoms you had ... the car started fine , started running rough , cleared up some and then wouldn`t start and plugs showed wet .
I don`t drive the Galaxie that much anymore and the fuel sits in the carb and causes problems over time .
Jegs and Summitt both have aftermarket float needle valves from folks like Barry Grant etc that are good quality ... try not to use something from one of the discount autoparts houses as their quality can be suspect .
I couldn`t tell from your postings if the carbs were Holly or not , but if you had a backfire , you might want to replace the power valves ... if leaking , they can give you a fit . Adjust the float levels with the engine running or you will get a false reading .

Good luck.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Now don't let that friend near your Cobra again, except to test the temperature of your sidepipes with the back of his calf.

I stand by my previous post.