Dan,

        I bought some accel pump pistons from a local auto parts store, supposed to be the same as NAPA. They are plastic, but of a blue color. They do seem to last about a year before sticking as you described. The original Pony pump piston was good for about six months then it stuck big time.  

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Mine sometimes will not stay running unless I give it gas. I wonder if it could be needle related. I notice that edelbrock does not offer a needle that is not viton tipped and the one installed is viton. I just installed an o2 sensor to aid with tuning. I'll take a look at them when I have the carb apart. I hope that a company such as Edlebrock will address this issue, if it is a problem.


Lawrenceville, GA

Dan:

Pony says the clips are too much trouble?  For what they get for a rebuild, I would think they could spend a few seconds to put that clip on.

When I worked for NAPA in the mid 70s, Echlin sent the stores placemats to go on the parts counter, touting their magical viton needles, how much better they were than the original steel/brass.  The 20 year number I pulled out of the air was off about 10 years.  The OEM needles for the teapots were a formed stem with four prongs that curved over the ball.  That's where I got my idea.  Wonder why I didn't think of taking my wive's diamond ring and stealing the setting and throwing away the diamond so I could make a float needle?

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

John,



They say they use Viton. Maybe there are variations in the formula or manufacturer quality? Whatever. When gravity won't drop the needle out of the seat after a good cleaning, it can't be a good omen.

Pony also does not install the original Holley part/clip that attaches the needle to the float. They say "too much trouble", but you would think having the extra weight of the float pulling on the needle would be helpful.

Were they using Viton 20 yrs. ago? I thought all the old rebuild kits had neoprene tips?

I'll bet you have been dealing with this problem longer than I, as the metro/Muncie area gas was likely "reformulated" since the 90s. Now that they are sneaking alcohol/etc. into all fuel, the rest of us get to join the fun!

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

I hate to disagree with Pony, but a viton needle that has been run for a while in alcohol laced fuel will be soft, you can easily dent it with a fingernail.  It will regain its shape after you remove the fingernail.  A fresh viton needle is much, much harder to dent.  The softened one will stick in the seat.  Perhaps Pony's needles are made from something other than viton that isn't affected by alcohol.  But a lot of carb kits on the market still have viton.  Buying a 20 year old kit will almost guarantee you'll get viton.

John in Selma, IN

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Sounds like John has the right idea (making his own). Original Grose Jet ball valve still made by a single guy on east coast who is reported impossible to reach (unless you knock on his door). The patent has supposedly expired, and I read that some copies have a Viton seat (instead of needle-tip). If Viton DOES get sticky from alcohol (Pony tech says "NO!), it might work longer than rubber needle-tip in a brass seat, but the orig. GJ design hardly ever wore out like the 50s Holley brass needle/seat assembly did. Pony tech also claims components in THEIR accel. pumps DO NOT degrade. I have cleaned my Pony teapot THOUGHLY, and will put it back in service soon to test (it was acting like a bad accel. pump) if dirt only was the problem.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Daniel:

This is not limited to Teapots.  I even worked on a '35 Ford for a local guy that would die on the road, sit a while, and restart.  Several people tried to fix it.  What did I find?  Viton needle.  He was thinking of selling the car, it was such an aggravation to him.  I forgot to mention, if you put a steel ball in place of the viton tip, put the needle into the upside down seat and lightly tap the needle with a small hammer a few times to form the seat to the ball.  It may not be necessary, but I always do it for insurance.

John in Selma, IN

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Does everyone with a carburetor have these alcohol related issues, or is it mainly a teapot/Holley problem?



I found an old phone # for GroseJet valve supplier. Will investigate. Holley manual says needle/seat assembly should be a matched unit.

Changing accel. pumps/Viton needles likely will become a yearly routine maintenance chore, like brake service. Ill bet there are other components in "reformulated" gas besides alcohol that degrade carb. parts.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

See if you can find a steel or brass one, John may have one also. Or use his bearing tip. John believes the alcohol in today's gas softens the Viton.  Also seems to kill the material on the accel pump piston in a year or so. Causes it to swell up and soften, then the pump piston sticks and you have no, or very little accelerator pump. The old style leather works better, and there is a newer material, which is blue, that holds up better. Havin'  fun yet?

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Dan:

I have been guilty of digging the viton out of the needle and putting a small (about 1/8") check ball in the cavity.  Don't need to glue it in or anything, it can't get out once the needle is in the seat.

John in Selma, IN

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"