Too much gas

Tiny
MI30189
  • MEMBER
  • 1977 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 5.8L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,000 MILES
My E-150 van that I have been working on for a while, and I am near to getting it to run again. It cranks just fine but will not start. I replaced the spark plug wires and plugs, rotor, cap, new Edelbrock #1406 carburetor, and new braided fuel line from new fuel pump to carburetor. When I crank it over it is like it is getting too much gas and spills out the connector at the carburetor. Can you please give me so ideas of where to start? I miss driving my short well base van, it is sharp.

Thank you,
Mark
Sunday, December 24th, 2017 AT 1:29 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
Spills out connector at carburetor?

Line correct thread size? Cross threaded?

Pouring out of carburetor?

Float mis-adjusted?

Float stuck/ bent allowing fuel to never stop entering carburetor?

Somebody installed electric fuel pump and it is overpowering the needle and seat/float?

Please upload a picture of your leak.

The Medic
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Sunday, December 24th, 2017 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
MI30189
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Hi Medic. Thank you for answering my problem so quickly. What I meant to say that the gas was shooting out the top of the carburetor. I will look into what you recommended and hopefully this will be the end of my problem.

Thank you,
Mark
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Sunday, December 24th, 2017 AT 3:13 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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Electric pump or float/ needle/ seat.

My best guesses.

The Medic
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Sunday, December 24th, 2017 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
MI30189
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Hi Medic, The van is equipped with a mechanical fuel pump and it is new. I will check out the float and seat as soon as it warms up here. I am not a experienced mechanic, so I will do my best. I thank you for your kind help.

Thank you,
Mark
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Monday, December 25th, 2017 AT 9:51 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
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Keep us posted!

Merry Christmas!

The Medic
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Monday, December 25th, 2017 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Fuel coming out the top of the carburetor (out the vent probably) is a bad or maladjusted float or the needle is not closing fully. Or the fuel pressure is higher than it should be.
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Monday, December 25th, 2017 AT 10:55 AM
Tiny
MI30189
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Hi Steve, Thank you for looking at my question, it turns out that it needed a fuel pressure regulator. I appreciate your quick response.

Thank you,
Mark
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Monday, December 25th, 2017 AT 5:19 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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Hmm, must be a real good pump you have. Most mechanical fuel pumps do not push a lot of pressure. Good that you got it sorted out.
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2017 AT 5:26 AM
Tiny
MI30189
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Hi Steve. I just wanted to get back with you. The regulator helped a lot but I still have gas spitting out the top of the carburetor, not as bad as before, but still too much to keep it over filling the carburetor. If you think it might be the float or needle, could you walk me through how to set them correctly? I am just not a mechanic, but I can follow instructions.

Thank you,
Mark
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Tuesday, December 26th, 2017 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
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On that carburetor you pull the top cover off of the carburetor. You want the gasket to stay with the top. Then flip the top over and measure the space between the float and the gasket. You want 7/16" between the two. Next you turn the part so the float hangs down and measure the same place and you want to see one inch of float drop.

As for the needle, The seat should be screwed in firmly and the needle should seat and block the flow of fuel. I usually test them by applying a light vacuum to the fuel inlet fitting.

It also sounds like you may still have excessive pressure. You want less than 5-6 psi for most carburetors.
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Wednesday, December 27th, 2017 AT 6:25 AM
Tiny
MI30189
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Hi Steve. You were right on with the float needing to being reset. I did as you said and it stopped spiting out the top. Also, I put the new regulator on and set it at 5#. It was up to 8#. Now I have my car back and I am loving it.

Thank you,

Mark
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Wednesday, December 27th, 2017 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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You're welcome. Carbs can be fussy at times, but they don't nee a computer in most cases.
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Wednesday, December 27th, 2017 AT 12:54 PM

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