1959 wcfb problems

**mark59** · 02-17-13, 04:34 PM

I have had my 59 for about 3 years. Drove it every weekend and did regular maintenance. Did not have any problems and the only thing out of the oridinary is I ran out of gas one time....I had a bad gauge. several weeks after that i noticed that when i was sitting idle at a red light when I went to press the gas it was hesitate a little but would always take the gas and everything was fine. Well on a sunday afternoon riding some back roads the car began to flood and when then cut off completely. there was some black smut around the tail pipes. there was very strong gas smell from the hood. when i open the i heard what sounded like flowing gas. took the air filter off and gas was pouring into the carburetor out of the bowl vents and it was like the floats were stuck or something but the car engine was off. Any thoughts?

**Rob** · 02-17-13, 04:42 PM

Welcome to the Corvette Action Center.

I'm going to move your thread from the Site Help and Feedback forum to the appropriate 1953 - 1967 Tech forum...

**mark59** · 02-17-13, 04:44 PM

thanks

**mr.beachcomber** · 02-17-13, 04:55 PM

Sounds like a problem with either (1) the needle and seat valve sticking open due to debris or (2) one of the brass floats developing a pinhole, filling with gas, sinking, and displacing gas out the vent tube. Either way, it may be time to rebuild the carburetor.

**mark59** · 02-17-13, 05:25 PM

thanks.

**96gs917** · 02-17-13, 05:47 PM

Don't forget to change the gas filter.

**Tom Bryant** · 02-18-13, 11:46 AM

Pin holes in brass floats are common. If you don't find debris try holding the brass float over a match or lighter flame for a few seconds. Heat will make pressure inside the float and wetness will appear at any hole.

Tom

**haganml** · 02-18-13, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Bryant

Pin holes in brass floats are common. If you don't find debris try holding the brass float over a match or lighter flame for a few seconds. Heat will make pressure inside the float and wetness will appear at any hole.

Tom

Auh, I may be paranoid but a match or lighter flame doesn't sound like a real good idea to me. Try instead a hairdryer or heat gun. Open flame and gasoline are a bad mixture, combustible at worse. Explosive at best. I use talcum powder to test for fuel leaks, like that old joke "roll 'em in flour and look for the wet spot". Messy but safe.

Mark.

**Tom Bryant** · 02-21-13, 02:05 PM

No guts no glory.

Just a little bit of heat will force wetness out of any hole. There may be enough gas in the float to splash around inside if you shake it.

**haganml** · 02-21-13, 04:28 PM

Had my share of "Guts 'n Glory" in 65 years on this planet. Too many broken bones and "This is Gonna Hurt" moments, I have started thinking about consequences before acting. Yes there is truth in the older is wiser mythology. Go for it. I did. No regrets only scars

Mark.