VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 32 coupe

My carburetor is dripping gasoline heavily with the engine running. What could be some of the causes? Also, one horn makes a barely audible sound. I have removed it and tested it using a 6 volt battery and it is very loud. Any suggestions? Thanks, Carlyle

Hello Carlyle,
If your carburetor has a float bowl, then it should have a needle valve to shut off in-coming fuel when bowl is full. Gum and varnish build-up with old fuel may cause the needle valve not to seal, causing flooding and over-flow of fuel out the carburetor. Carb. cleaner works, but you'll need to disassemble the float bowl and components for cleaning. With regards to the horn, it appears that you have a poor ground with the cars wiring. Reconnect your horn to the car and try using a jumper wire to a clean ground and see if the horn responds properly. Good Luck

Another thing that could cause the flooding problem is a sinking float. It may be full of gasoline so remove the float and check it.

Try adjusting the horn while on the car for a more audible sound.

I had the same problem on my 32 sedan,I tried everything,with the same results. I finnaly ran a 12 gage wire from the battery to each horn seperatly,then I hooked the ground wires from each horn to the wire going to the horn button. It may not be correct wireing but they work great with no problems.

Sounds like a great fix to me.

Thank you for your suggestions. Carlyle

I was troubleshooting the gas drip on my W-1 and noticed that a small soft plug appears missing from the side. Gasoline pulses out and runs under the carburetor.with the engine running. Where can I obtain a plug or what can I use to plug the hole to continue troubleshooting this issue?.

Plugs are available mail order, with a minimum purchase.

If you don't REQUIRE a numbers-matching original copper plug......................go fishing!!!

Both Stromberg and Rochester used lead balls while Carter used a tapered copper plug. Open your tackle box, and find a split shot lead sinker roughly 25 percent larger in diameter than the hole. Use a small punch and hammer, and insert the split shot sinker in the hole.

Jon.

Thank you.

I had my carburetor rebuilt after a soft plug came out. However, the engine runs very rough ( almost chugging) and I have to leave the throttle out so the engine won't stall. I have removed the spark plugs and cleaned them but no improvement. I had no problems with the engine prior to the gas dripping from the hole where the plug was. Sincerely Carlyle

Carlyle,
I have sent you a PM.