I have been rebuilding my 68 for more years than I care to recall. (Pitchers on my page). I thought I would start posting an update of the wins and setbacks.

I rebuilt the motor and trans a couple years ago. Just rebuilt the carb (Holly 4190 I think), I primed the oil pump. We were going to try the first startup and we hit a little set back. After a minute of turning it over we notice the starter slowing down. Battery good, starter is not hot. Another try and we smelled gas. It was a little more than I like in the intake. Pulled the plugs and… Oh no. A lot of gas was in the cylinders. We remove as much as we could, letting it air out. I should have bench tested the carb. I guess the float stuck?

It's all fun

 

I fully expect that you're diagnosis is correct, sort of. The float is not stuck, but the needle and seat are stuck. Most likely it is a neoprene needle and seat and the setting up has stuck it. You might try tapping on the needle and seat area, but worse case you can just disassemble enough to break it loose. If you start running it regularly it might be okay, but if it sets up very long after sticking once it might stick pretty quickly if it sets awhile.

For a carb that might set up, a steel needle and seat would be preferable.

Good luck,

 

Any chance you are running a high GPH fuel pump without a regulator?

 

And that will do it also...

High pressure anyway, which means virtually any aftermarket pump.

 

Well I took off the card and did a gravety feed. I taped and taped, shook it. Everynow and then it would stop dripping. I would hit the gas and it would start all over again. I guess I will take it apart and look at the needle and seat (Not the float) LOL

Thanks for the help. A little direction goes a long way

 

If it has a neoprene needle and seat, replace it, period. For an engine that will spend extended periods of time setting up, a steel needle and seat should be used.

 

No luck, I took it back apart twice. Check the needle and seat. When I did a bench test it workedgreat, not a drop untill I gave it a little gas. I aslo noticed its coming from the front bowl and not the back.

 

Does it have a neoprene needle or steel?

 

Steel

 

Rechecked the floats and the power valve is good (holds a vacuum). still leaking fuel after you give it a little gas.