Hello all.I could use some quick advice.My 56 Fairlane with 292 4bbl started acting up this afternoon.There is a show on Sunday and I would like to go.My car stalled and when I got it restarted it wont develop power.I have to "feather" the gas to get any kind of power out of it.It will start and then slow right down and stall.The carb is a "teapot" holley rebuilt by an experienced pro builder last year and I dont think it has 500 miles on it. I installed a later model single action fuel pump and thinking maybe too much pressure was flooding carb I reinstalled the original pump.No diffference.I am about 90% sure the float is hanging up for some reason but could use some input before I start messing around with carb.Any other suggestions appreciated.I want to try and fix this tommorow if possible.Thanks Mark

  

Mark:

One problem has surfaced with viton tipped float needles and modern alcohol laced fuels.  The alcohol softens the viton and it will then stick in the seat.  The teapot is supposed to have a little clip that attaches to the needle and the float, so the weight of the float will help pull the needle off the seat if fuel pressure alone can't do it.  That little clip is not always installed, I heard recently of a nationally acclaimed carb rebuilder that says they don't bother installing those clips.  If you can easily deform the viton tip with your fingernail, it's too soft.  Replace it, and use the clip.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Hi John,Thanks for the info.I took the top off and there was no clip used.I fabricated a workable clip using a cut down paperclip.Seems to do the job.The needle has a soft tip but not degenerated yet.Would have preferred an old type metal one.The soft tip seems to hang up.I think I got it back running better.I still have a "deadspot off idle.Push the gas and nothing happens for a couple of seconds.Tried advancing timing couple of degrees no better.Automatic went to 8 from 6.Can I go more?Is this a problem with these teapot carbs? This type of carb seems really finnicky.Is this true?Any other input welcome.Thanks Mark

  

Get a 390 CFM Holley and retire the Teapot. I had a new one and had nothing but trouble out of it . Leaks,sticking floats ,you name it. So I put it on the shelf.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Ok sounds good.Is this directly interchangeable using the stock manifold?What else requires modification?Is there a particular model# or ID # for the one you used.Wheres good pricewise to purchase?Thanks Mark

  

Mark:

I have been known to dig the viton out of the needle and placing a small check ball in it's place.  Gives me a steel ball needle very similar to the originals on teapots.  Take a small hammer and a punch and tap the ball into the seat a few times before you assemble it.

With the top of the carb off, you can see two pairs of D shaped cavities, back to back.  Look closely, there is a very small hole drilled between each of the pair of cavities.  This is actually the fuel mixture orifice for the idle circuit.  Air is mixed with the fuel there, and the idle screws actually only control the volume of air/fuel mixture to the idle passage.  Open that small hole to .027, and the flat spot off idle will disappear.  Don't make it bigger than that, or it will be too rich at idle.

John in Selma, IN

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Regarding Birdman55 suggestion about changing carbs altogether:

My other question regarding this suggestion is about the distributor.I assume you must have gone with the 57-up distributor with both vacuum and centrifugal advance?I dont think the original dist. can be used correct?Thanks for your input.Mark

  

I got one I will sell you with an adapter. I have only had it off my bird for about 3-4 months. Manual choke .

other than that there is a place in Arizona that rebuilds carbs. I think its called Arizona carburetor or carburetor rebuilders. That place has millions of carburetors and sell fairly inexpensively. They do want an exchange carb but it odesnt have to be the same carb. I paid 245.00 for my carb. I wil let you have it for 125.00 including shipping.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Yes, I have 57 dizzy I am using.

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Its called Carburetor Exchange. http://www.carburetorexchange.com/ 

55Birdman  Hickory NC