Pinhole in float

[jpcody66]

After rebuilding my Rochester carburetor I installed it back on the motor and started it up. The carburetor was flooding profusely. I pulled the float out of the carb, shook it and heard gas inside of it. I scratched a little discolored area on the float and the fuel from inside started seeping out. I have to order another float. My question is, can I solder the little area to get by until I get another float? I pushed a thumbtac through the area with the pinhole to be able to get the remaining fuel out. Would the solder weigh down the float too much?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Pinhole in float

Not if you're frugal with it. Use some paste or flux.

 

[mkast]

Re: Pinhole in float

Floats are usually carried in stock. That's because you can't use paste, solder, chewing gum or ear wax to fix a float. The float has to be a specific weight, ANY heavier, the amount of fuel in the bowl won't be accurate. Flux is used for cleaning.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pinhole in float

Ayuh,............<br /><br />A Float for that Rottenchester sure be available at Any parts house,.. Next day at the Latest.....<br /><br />Besides,........ You Found 1 Hole,.......... Do you Really Think it's the Only 1,..???......<br /><br />Put some soldering heat to it,+ there'll be More......

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Pinhole in float

"Put some soldering heat to it,+ there'll be More......"<br /> Most definitely.

 

[jpcody66]

Re: Pinhole in float

I soldered the hole last night and sure enough, there was another one. I ordered a new float today and should have by this afternoon. Adding the heat to the float expanded the gases inside and the other pinholes became apparent with small puffs of smoke. <br />Any idea of the float measurement from the gasket to the bottom of the tip of the float? The instructions that came with the carb kit do not specify the measurement for this particular carb. Rochester 2GC two barrel.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Pinhole in float

Both manuals I have with that carburetor in it say to adjust the float according to the specifications in the overhaul kit. Find out who made it and try contacting them on-line.

 

[Manipulator]

Re: Pinhole in float

After I rebuilt my Rochester (Quadrajet) I damaged the float. Like an idiot I accidentally ran the bolt that for the flame arrest down the float vent! They are in close proximity to one another and about the same size. It punched a hole right through it. My float was the solid type and not the soldered type. It is a certain size and bigger than the float that comes with the carburetors that go on automobiles. I had a hard time finding one. I went to about four different auto parts stores and a marine shop and no one had one. The fifth auto parts store (autoZone) matched the number off my carb, and the float again was smaller. The guy went through about thirty boxes of floats and actually found an exact match. I think it was like four bucks. <br /><br />Anyway, I would have been leery about heating that float up if it had fuel in it. It could have turned into a bomb. Guess you were able to neutralize the gas and fumes. My crazy uncle one time tried to fix on old fuel tank by welding it and blew himself down the driveway (about 30 ft). He was beat up and had some burns but not serious. Crazy mofo!

 

[jpcody66]

Re: Pinhole in float

I found a new float at Car Quest auto parts and it's identicle except for the tang at the end that the needle rests on. I was still able to use the float and don't have the flooding anymore. The boat runs but backfires when accellerating. I tried measuring the dwell before timing the motor but my dwell meter broke. I didn't replace the cap and rotor. Could this be the issue now? Would a bad cap or rotor cause the engine to back fire and have fluctuating higher RPM's?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pinhole in float

It Could,.................<br /><br />But,... It Sounds like you're running Too Lean...............

 

[jpcody66]

Re: Pinhole in float

I pulled the plugs and they were completely black.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pinhole in float

Originally posted by JCody:<br /> I pulled the plugs and they were completely black.

It appears I'm Wrong,.........<br /><br />You're running Extremely Rich,.......Sometimes,...Could be at Idle,... Could be at WOT,.... <br />The Backfiring is a Lean condition during acceleration....<br /><br />Either Way,....... The Carb. Still Isn't Right.......

 

[jpcody66]

Re: Pinhole in float

What would the solution in the carb be? I've made adjustments to the two needles but it still backfires. Could the float need an adjustment? The directions for the carb kit doesn't list the adjustment measurements.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pinhole in float

Well,.......Personally,... I Don't do Rochesters,....<br /><br />I Prefer the Merc./ Weber/ Edlebrock/ Carter Clones............<br />So,.. I Really Can't Help you..........<br /><br />The Carb. is running Extremely Rich,.. Somewhere,... That's what the Black Sooty plugs are telling you..........<br />The Back-fire is a Lean condition(Usually) when accelerating,...... I'd look to the Accelerator Pump for That........<br /><br />I don't know how old this rottenchester Is,....<br />It Might be time to give it achris's,.. "Float Test"................

 

[jpcody66]

Re: Pinhole in float

The accelerator pump is new. After I replaced it I notice the spring tension was more firm than the old one. With the old one in I couldn't accelerate at all. Would the "rich - lean" adjuster on the choke end have any effect on the mixture after the engine is warmed up or is that just an adjustment for a cold start?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Pinhole in float

Originally posted by Manipulator:<br />The guy went through about thirty boxes of floats and actually found an exact match. I think it was like four bucks. <br /> [/QB]

OK. Good. Heres where one of my biggest rants come in. Did you save the box part with the all important numbers and maker? Did you write the stuff down? Did you just toss everything away, so the next guy you might have helped (like this guy) might have easily had the information to buy whats needed? <br />For the life of me, why do you not save this all important info? Ever stop to think of the person you will sell it too? Anyone that does not have a folder with all info dedicated to his boat (or ANY vehicle), will never get me as a second owner. PLEASE save ALL info on parts bought that are not Model specific. Wrongs parts can get someone killed. And on the float, solder all ya want, then hang it up in the shop on a string and give it a spin once in a while, thinking of the tow in you didn't need.