Engine flooding with gas - thoughts?

[brap999]

My c10 has been out of commission for 2.5 years. This past week I finally got around to putting it back together and started it up. It has a 350 with a holley 600cfm and a stock mechanical fuel pump. The intake flooded with fuel, which flooded the exhaust. It ran but wouldn’t idle. I pinched off the Rubber fuel line right before it connects to the carb and let the engine run just from the fuel in the bowls and it ran great until the bowls got empty. Am I correct in thinking there is crap preventing the needle valves from closing completely? I took the bowls off and removed the needles and cleaned everything, I can’t test it until the the new gaskets arrive though. If there is something else I should check I’d like to do it now while the carb is apart.

[truckster]

That would be my first guess. I would install an inline filter before the carb.

[Dead Parrot]

2nd the thought that crap kept the needle(s) from seating or that stuff left after the gas in the carb evaporated during the storage period caused the float to stick. Small multi-legged critters also like small areas with limited access.

Might put a filter between the frame and the intake on the fuel pump. Possible there is crap in the tank from sitting 2+ years. Easy to add and easy to remove if you later decide everything is OK and it is no longer needed. I run one there all the time with no issues.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

That is the most likely the source of the problem. Most Holley carbs you can remove the needle/seats without disassembling the carb.

[brap999]

I finally had time to revisit this problem after a nice long vacation. I replaced both needles and seats with no luck. Then I decided to swap out the fuel pressure regulator with a new one. The old one was the dial type And the dial felt loose. After replacing the pressure regulator the problem persisted, so that wasnt it. Im not sure what else to look at other than replacing the floats. But they are the non adjustable type and look ok. Could the power valve be blown? Im not sure what else would allow fuel to flood the carb and find its way down the exhaust.

Truckster - I do have an in-line filter, the clear type right before the carb after the pressure regulator.

[PGSigns]

Pull the carb and put a kit in it. The power valve may be bad. Were you able to get the float levels set? For a Holley flooding I check this order, float level, needle and seat, power valve, fuel pressure.
Jimmy

[brap999]

I just wanted to followup this post and close it out. It looked like the Power Valve gasket was bad, and it might have had a small tear it in causing it to not seal well. Also the power valve didn't feel 'springy' when i pressed on it compared to a new one i had. I went a head and put a kit on it, replaced every gasket, as well as the power valve. I cleaned everything as best I could. Once I put it all back together, it fired right up. Lesson learned. When they say to put a kit on it, just do it and don't waste more time trying to replace individual parts. Thanks for all the help everyone!

[Wrenchbender Ret]

You need to change the oil & filter. All that gas has diluted the oil.

[PGSigns]

Glad you got it running. I agree with changing the oil.
Jimmy