Zenith carb leaking petrol+ starting handel hole cover

[MartinRaine]

Hi on my 1935 long saloon i have a leak on the carb it is a new old stock carb. I have replaced the gaskets but when the car is at a stand still there is petrol on the floor.The shut off valve in the top of the carb is working as it should and i have put a spacer on in so it switches off with the float quicker. I have an AC fuel pump with a glass bowl fitted, do these have a pressure return on them?? i am thinking that it is over pressurising?. I have not fitted the bowl top gasket . Also i an still looking for a starting Handel hole cover that fits into the bottom of the radiator has any one got one for sale, Thanks Martin

[Keith Andrews]

If u have do tell tale signs of capilary leakage...stains...check the float level

The shut off valve in the top of the carb is working as it should and i have put a spacer on in so it switches off with the float quicker

If that is shutting off the then any fuel pressure in thew lines will not effect the float level when the engine is turned off, and IF it did the engine would be flooding big time while running ..even starting.
u may find your spacer mod...which is not neassaary as the float level is maintaned at the same full level all the time anyway...just off closed could well be the issue.
Petrol on the floor...thats a lot of gas...there has to be some trace back where leaking from...

[Forumadmin]

hole in the float? Take it out and rattle it.

[Tony Fearn]

I have not fitted the bowl top gasket .

Hello Martin.

I don't know much about carbs., petrol pumps or pressure returns, but I think that the fitting of a cork gasket to the top of the glass bowl on the pump is very important. There's some sort of a vacuum in the system, and if the gasket is not there, then there won't be the petrol flow you need.

There are a couple of brass haxagonal screws on the pump top which should have fibre washers on them. These cover a couple of petrol resistant fibre-type-board valves which allow petrol through one way. Perhaps these might just need cleaning as a speck of dirt on them will stop them acting properly.

Just another thought, what angle does the copper petrol pipe take from the pump to the carburettor. I don't even know if this will have any bearing on the problem, but someone might.

As for the starting handle hole cover, did you not have any joy in contacting Ted as we discussed in January?

Tony.

[MartinRaine]

Hi thanks for all the info I think i will try another fiber washer under the float shut off valve as i think it is over filling and running into the emulsion block. I contacted Ted about the cover in January and he said he was going to sort one out for me, But i have rang him every week since and there is no one in.i have left messages on his answer phone but he has not replied, so i am still looking for one this is the last bit to finish the car off ,any ideas ?? Thanks Martin

[AlanBartlett]

What does the starting hole cover, look like? Just out of curiosity

[MartinRaine]

Hi the cover is about 2 dia and is embossed which look like flower petals and is convexed and looks like it is made out of stainless steel and has a clip on the back that pushes through the radiator hole to hold it in place, it will take a bit of making. Thanks Martin

[george garside]

Alan - have emailed you a not very clear pic of hole cover - will try to find a better one. Would it be possible to cast copies of a an original resin & paint silver.

george