Needle valve

Cool Wheels · Mar 9, 2004

I think I got some crap stuck in my needle valve.

I opened up the throttle and felt the G's as I passed this stupid SUV on a small stretch who was doing 5 km under the limit. After that, the engine was running real rough & stumbling, lots of black smoke and it finally stalled out (when I got home luckily). When I looked at the carb it was totally soaked in gas, like the carburator vomited up it's breakfast.

So my question is, can I fix this problem with carb cleaner or should I open up the carb and risk further frustration with my very clumsy, amateurish fingers? Any advice on small springs that may go popping out or small parts that I should watch out for if I'm going for the "surgical proceedure"?

Turbo II · Mar 9, 2004

Yup, definitely sounds like the needle valve stuck open (at least if it's an intermitent problem) If it does it all of the time you may have a bad float. You could try one of the fuel additives to clean the system (the external spray won't help you here) but a rebuild on the carb is fairly easy and most kits provide good instructions. Expect to pay around $40 - $50 (CDN) for one. Just went through similar problems with my '77 a while ago.

Another suggestion is to add an additional inline fuel filter if your not worried about factory correctness. I use disposable ones in clear so I can visually tell when they're dirty or if there's any crud in the lines. We all know how our fuel tanks like to rust Also don't forget to either replace or clean out the factory brass screen one on the carb inlet when you do the rebuild.

Good luck,

Francis

77sleeper · Mar 10, 2004

JFYI glass filters are not track legal

Wart · Mar 10, 2004

Cool Wheels said:
So my question is, can I fix this problem with carb cleaner or should I open up the carb and risk further frustration with my very clumsy, amateurish fingers?

You have options?

If not now, when do you plan to start learning how to work on your car?

Cool Wheels · Mar 10, 2004

Wart said:
You have options?

If not now, when do you plan to start learning how to work on your car?

The learning has been ongoing and I'm always willing to take on necessary projects. But I've learned not to tempt fate. Don't take big steps until you've taken baby steps first. A moment spent in preparation is worth a thousand spent in recovery, yadayada you get the point

Thanks for the advice guys. As always, this board is an invaluable resource. BTW, I'm pretty sure that the problem I mentioned in my previous post on Tach drift was probably related to this needlevalve issue.

85MustGT · Mar 10, 2004

Disconnect the gas line from the carb, run the car until it dies. Sometimes as the car runs out of gas crap stuck in the needle and seat can become dislodged. Its worth a try.

chaka · Mar 10, 2004

85MustGT said:
Disconnect the gas line from the carb, run the car until it dies. Sometimes as the car runs out of gas crap stuck in the needle and seat can become dislodged. Its worth a try.

Make sure you plug that disconnected gas line (feed) or you may have some fire issues.

Wart · Mar 10, 2004

Cool Wheels said:
The learning has been ongoing and I'm always willing to take on necessary projects. But I've learned not to tempt fate. Don't take big steps until you've taken baby steps first. A moment spent in preparation is worth a thousand spent in recovery, yadayada you get the point

Pulling the top off the carb isn't that hard, once the choke linkage is removed. Hardest part of that is getting the screw out of the choke shaft.

BTW, you don't need to remove the carb. Just the top.

Thanks for the advice guys. As always, this board is an invaluable resource. BTW, I'm pretty sure that the problem I mentioned in my previous post on Tach drift was probably related to this needlevalve issue.

Probably not.

Cool Wheels · Mar 10, 2004

Ok. I nailed it. Took off the top of the carb and stuck the little extension tube from the can of carb cleaner right in that little valve. Squeezed the trigger - slow at first and then full blast, then again and again and AGAIN

Turns out there there were no little springs popping out or unseen gremlins. But I've never done that before so I was a little nervous. But said and done it was pretty easy, something you could do on the side of the road with a multiscrewdriver.

I like the idea of a second inline fuel filter. I'll have to get my tank off and give it a good cleaning as soon as I can. Bound to be lots of rust and crap.

Thanks guys

Cool Wheels · Mar 10, 2004

By the way, if you think a mouthful of gas tastes bad, try a mouthful of carb cleaner eeeaaCCCHHH!!

COBRAIIW · Mar 11, 2004

Cool Wheels said:
By the way, if you think a mouthful of gas tastes bad, try a mouthful of carb cleaner eeeaaCCCHHH!!

I've gotten that stuff in my eyes,thought i was gonna go blind,the pain was intense!Now I wear safety glasses!

chaka · Mar 11, 2004

Cool Wheels said:
By the way, if you think a mouthful of gas tastes bad, try a mouthful of carb cleaner eeeaaCCCHHH!!

I will stick with my gasoline.

77sleeper · Mar 11, 2004

burnt diffy juice is still the king

stangy_77 · Mar 11, 2004

try some good old fashioned either

77sleeper · Mar 11, 2004

we had a guy at work get an actual mouthfull of acetone, he said that tasted pretty bad

zwhitr · Mar 12, 2004

I'll have to get my tank off and give it a good cleaning as soon as I can. Bound to be lots of rust and crap.

Thanks guys

Be careful cleaning a 25+ year old tank rust may be all thats holding it together ---other on this forum have had similar situations and ended up with more problems and need of a tank replacement.

ps--- warm antifreeze taste so sweet

Needle valve

Cool Wheels

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77sleeper

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Cool Wheels

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chaka

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