52 M38 Flooding

magnum · Post by **magnum** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:32 pm

My m38 is having a slight problem. I have good, spark, proper timing and it seems a fuel pressure problem. The fuel pressure seems to be inexcess and is causing the carburator to flood. It is flooding so bad ist puddles in the cylinder and comes out the carburator intake. I have had the carburator re-built so I don't think that is the issue. Any ideas would be greatly apreciated!

Zane · Post by **Zane** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:40 pm

check the float, rebuilt carbs have had to be readjusted before, it may even be hung up or stuck.

Post by **wesk** » Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:52 pm

Why did you have the carb rebuilt? Did it have a flooding problem then?

Have you checked your fuel pump pressure?

magnum · Post by **magnum** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 9:38 am

My Grandfather had the carb for over 30 years on the shelf so I firured it would need to be rebuilt. I will check the fuel pressure and the float on the carb and see where I am at.

Thanks,

Post by **wesk** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 10:21 am

What is the status of your engine? Just rebuilt, sat a long while, was running fine recently and then trouble?

magnum · Post by **magnum** » Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:40 pm

We have been doing an off body restoration so the engine hasn't ran in about nine months. . The engine ran beautiful before we started. We had a different carburator prior(Carter non weaterproof) like those on the 2 and 3A's. Checked the float this morning and it did need adjustment. I will give the fuel pressure a check tomorrow.

TomM · Post by **TomM** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 5:10 pm

Check
1) fuel - is it more than 2 months old? change it - the fuel has gone bad and your float is sticking. This has happened to me a number of times.
2) float - be sure it does not have a pin hole and is filling with fuel. Be sure it is traveling properly, be sure it is set to the right height.
3) needle and seat - with horn off the carb feed compressed air at 5-10 psi into the fuel inlet. Be sure you can stop the flow of air when the float needle is gently seated into the seat.
4) test fuel pressure - 2.5-3psi (from memory - double check)
5) Who rebuilt your carb? I had one that the rebuilder pinched/holed the accelerator pump diaphram which causd massive flooding. Did they use modern materials or an NOS kit? If they used an NOS kit the modern fuel has eaten away the rubber and your diaphrams are leaking fuel into the wrong places.
6) vacuum leaks - check with vacuum gauge. vac leaks will sometimes cause pumping of the accelerator pump and flood the engine.

If you have very wet plugs you may have to pull the carb and sponge out the intake manifold.
Also, if you think the engine has "massively" flooded you may want to disconnect the exhaust pipe at the flange below the head pipe. fuel will pool right there and pour out when you crack the joint.

magnum · Post by **magnum** » Fri Mar 11, 2011 10:55 pm

The float was stuck up. carb is working great now. Thanks for all of the help!

52 M38 Flooding

52 M38 Flooding

stuck float