Hi, Folks.

I recently picked up a 1983 wagon as a project car. I've almost got it running now but can't seem to keep the carb from flooding. It's the EA81 engine with the Carter 1bl carb. The fuel tank was clogged and the fuel pump was bad so I cleared the tank and installed a generic inline pump. I believe that it's rated for 2-4psi. It didn't fit well in the space below the car so I installed it under the hood going into the filter. I rebuilt the carb and installed a new float but it keeps flooding-badly, as if the float's not working at all. I figured out that the float pin was pushing against the inside of the bowl and hampering the float so I shaved it off a bit. Still flooding. I've blown out all the fuel lines and return lines, etc... and tried everything that I could think of. I'd be willing to put a new carb on it, but I'm not 100% sure that's the problem. Any ideas?

Many Thanks!

Probably too many psi.You want 2psi max.

I'd wondered if I should put a pressure regulator on it but the manual called for 2-8 psi so I put that down as a backup idea. I don't like shooting in the dark and buying parts that *might* be the problem.

Thanks!

When you installed the float did you adjust the float level and needle valve stroke to specifications?

 

Your willingness to put a new carb on it is good because the carb you have is generally not so good.

 

Where are you located? Someone may be able to help you out with another carb.

+1 on high pressure. The other thing is most electric pumps like to push fuel, not pull. It may be better for the pump to be mounted as close to the tank as possible. I dont think this is causing your problem, but it may effect the life of the pump.

I'm down in Austin, Tx. I'd love to put a 2bl on this guy if for no other reason than parts are all but impossible to come by for the 1bl. Most parts stores don't even list it as an option. If I change carbs, should I go with an adapter plate (1bl to 2bl) or change out the whole intake manifold? Pressure regulator just jumped up to the top of the list, too.

When you installed the float did you adjust the float level and needle valve stroke to specifications?

?

I initially set the float to the specs given then started adjusting from there to see if it made a difference- which it didn't.

What specs did you use?

Out of the Haynes. Believe it was 17mm from airhorn to float for closed and 1-1/2" open.

Unfortunately I don't have a Factory Service Manual with the Carter/Weber in it to verify those numbers, but someone will chime in later I'm sure. A pressure regulator won't hurt of course, but it would be good to make sure your float is dialed in according to an FSM.

Cool. Thanks. Could there be some fuel/vent line blocked that I missed that would cause this? The tank was badly blocked at first.

I had the same thing happen on one of mine, it was the gas cap, it is not venting correctly. Pop the cap a little and see if that changes anything.

 

Jeff

Could there be some fuel/vent line blocked that I missed that would cause this?

 

I suppose, maybe if the return line was blocked or something. I unfortunately don't know the Carter/Weber at all. Generally speaking though I would double check the float adjustments with FSM specs even if it's an over-pressure issue, they are easy to knock out of whack just by assembling and disassembling the carb, and then go for the pressure regulator since it's a generic pump.

 

Does the Carter/Weber have the sight glass in the fuel bowl like the Hitachi's?

Unfortunately it doesn't have the sight glass. I'll set it back to spec again and try with the gas tank open to see if it's a back-pressure issue. Definitely getting a regulator, too. If that doesn't do it, I'm getting a new carb.

Thanks for all the help!

Some of the tank lines could be in the wrong order or backwards. If you just got it, there is a one way valve on one of them, if one got re-installed incorrectly, like when the engine bay fuel filter was replaced, it would not depressurize your tank. Its on one of those little short hoses around there.

 

One of my old hitachi carbs ( car came with three and I had two) wouldn't breathe through the canister until I replaced all the lines on it, as well. Ran great when it was off. Its how I got it home:lol:! Smoked a little.... a weber took care of that for the final fix. (Cant blame the PO guy for trying.)