Fuel leak problem with carburetor?

[78 GMC Jimmy]

So I had this carb rebuilt by a mechanic friend of mine. Twice.

If I park nose down on a very steep hill, the engine block, carb and cylinder fill up with fuel and it hydrolocks.
If I park nose way up, fuel drips down into the intake, also leaks out of the carb on one of the butterfly rods as seen in pics.
See pics for drops of fuel dripping off carb rod.
Fuel also pools on the "red area" in the pic.

Sigh....

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

Edelbrock 1406 by the way.

 

[Wes Harden]

I would say float levels are to high. You need the 4x4 needle and seat up grade too. This is an issue with carter afb Edlebrock clone. It doesn't do well in off chamber and hilly situations. Quadrajet well perform much better in the same instance.
Simple rebuild kit will not address the bad leaky throttle bushing, a good carb shop, or the proper tools and parts to do at home.

Or fuel injection. Ultimate off chamber would be propane or CNG

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

I would say float levels are to high. You need the 4x4 needle and seat up grade too. This is an issue with carter afb Edlebrock clone. It doesn't do well in off chamber and hilly situations. Quadrajet well perform much better in the same instance.
Simple rebuild kit will address the bad leaky throttle bushing, a good carb shop, or the proper tools and parts to do at home.

Or fuel injection. Ultimate off chamber would be propane or CNG

So you figure I need to adjust the floats? Can this be as simple as replacing the floats, or do I need to adjust regardless? Do they come pre-adjusted?

 

[Wes Harden]

no they don't come pre adjusted. Yes the floats could be sinking. need to test submerged in water for 24hr, if after they don't have water inside they're good (metal only) Plastic need to weighed ( have to google exceptable weight) Idk what that is cause I don't like edelbrock afb clones.
Float adjustment should be checked any time the top of carb is off.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

Do I need to pull the carb to adjust the floats? Is there any way to check them without taking the carb apart?

 

[nvrenuf]

You said this happens when parked, do you have an electric fuel pump? I realize it’s unlikely but I had to ask.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

You said this happens when parked, do you have an electric fuel pump? I realize it’s unlikely but I had to ask.

I did have an electric fuel for a brief time while trying to diagnose a different issue, but this fuel leaking issue happens with a mechanical or an electric pump.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

They guy that rebuilt the carb twice said he check the floats twice. He said they are to spec.

 

[Wes Harden]

edelbrock 1406 dies on hills

I just put a new edelbrock 1406 on my 85 chevy k20. I went out wheeling tried to climb some steep hills. The truck would die and was very hard to start. I've heard you have to modify these carbs for offroad use. What do I have to do to make it work?

ck5.com

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

So it's not just me.... these carbs just flood no matter what if you go up or park on steep hills?

 

[Wes Harden]

edelbrock 1406 dies on hills

I just put a new edelbrock 1406 on my 85 chevy k20. I went out wheeling tried to climb some steep hills. The truck would die and was very hard to start. I've heard you have to modify these carbs for offroad use. What do I have to do to make it work?

ck5.com

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

So what brand carb can handle hills? Holley?

 

[imiceman44]

So what brand carb can handle hills? Holley?

Any quadrajet, Rochester is one.
Basically a stock carburetor

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

ok

 

[83ChevyK5Blazer]

I ran an edelbrock for a long time, then switched back to a quadrajet, it ran better on the road and way better off. You just have to make sure to run a good filter and keep them clean.

 

[Blue85]

the engine block, carb and cylinder fill up with fuel and it hydrolocks.

This sounds like more fuel than the carb bowls hold. I don't know how it can siphon fuel upwards from the pump/line unless you are parking steep enough that the fuel tank is above the carb. If that's the case, a simple band-aid would be something like a ball valve right at the carb inlet.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

This sounds like more fuel than the carb bowls hold. I don't know how it can siphon fuel upwards from the pump/line unless you are parking steep enough that the fuel tank is above the carb. If that's the case, a simple band-aid would be something like a ball valve right at the carb inlet.

Ya, parking nose down will allow all the fuel from the rank to leak out through the carb. Parking nose up will allow some fuel to leak out of the carb into the manifold and its flooded when trying to start the engine. I did install a ball valve that works for nose down, but it still floods the engine when nose up. Im tired of dealing with it, so I will change carbs. Any suggestions? Should I go with a Quadrajet? Holley ?

 

[Blue85]

Turn the ball valve just before you get to where you're parking .

Yeah, obviously it needs to be fixed. If it leaks while parked, it's leaking while you drive. I don't see why you wouldn't try adjusting/testing the floats.

Quadrajet is really the only truck carb. The "off-road" versions of Holley/Edelbrock only exist because the basic designs aren't good off road. It's like whenever you see a car with "sport" stickers, it's because that car basically isn't a sports car.

 

[78 GMC Jimmy]

Turn the ball valve just before you get to where you're parking .

Yeah, obviously it needs to be fixed. If it leaks while parked, it's leaking while you drive. I don't see why you wouldn't try adjusting/testing the floats.

Quadrajet is really the only truck carb. The "off-road" versions of Holley/Edelbrock only exist because the basic designs aren't good off road. It's like whenever you see a car with "sport" stickers, it's because that car basically isn't a sports car.

The float level has been checked twice. I guess I could replace the floats and the fuel inlet needle?