1956 Tea Pot rebuild kit issues

[Shawnski]

Has anyone had issues with the new updates needle & seat that comes in these Tea Pot rebuild kits? Mine seems to get locked in the down position which doesn’t shut off the fuel delivery.
While the car is running I’ll start to smell fuel which turns out the fuel is overflowing onto the intake manifold.
If I shut the car off, it’s basically flooded and won’t start. Just a little tap on the threaded cap on the float / fuel inlet and it pops back into place and the car starts right up…
Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

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[doug7740]

A fuel valve clip is attached to the needle valve and fits under the tab of the float. This clip assures the accurate reaction of the needle valve to any float movement. Is the fuel valve clip attached to the needle valve and under the tab of the float?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Pete G]

I love you guys! I've had a problem with my '56 not starting after running. The carb was recently rebuilt. As Shawnski mentioned, after running her and turning off, i tapped the large threaded screw, tried again and she started right up. Then following Doug's reply, i took the top off the carb to see what was going on and low and behold, no fuel value clip! When i push the float up, it stays up. When i tap the outside screw, she drops right back down into place. Thank you both so much for your post, off to see if i can find a fuel valve clip!

 

[doug7740]

Since you said that the carburetor was recently rebuilt, why don't contact the person that did the rebuild and get the missing clip from them. It would also be nice to know why they forgot to install the clip. As they say; if you want something done right, do it yourself.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Shawnski]

A fuel valve clip is attached to the needle valve and fits under the tab of the float. This clip assures the accurate reaction of the needle valve to any float movement. Is the fuel valve clip attached to the needle valve and under the tab of the float?

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

View attachment 28412

I just pulled the carb apart again so I could check that needle, seat and the spring. I’m the person that rebuilt the carb and I didn’t remember putting a spring retainer on the needle. As it turns out this new rebuild kit from Mikes Carburetor Service doesn’t use a spring retainer on this new style needle and seat.
The spring is still on the underside of the float as it should be and I pulled the float out to ensure it wasn’t filling with fuel.

 

[Pete G]

Received my fuel clip in the mail today, put it on, and now the car starts right up after driving. I didn't even get in it, just turned the key. Infuriating. A $1.25 clip and two years frustration after a rebuild. Anyway, i hope you resolve your issue, very grateful for this thread. Think i'm going for a drive tonight!

 

[Shawnski]

Received my fuel clip in the mail today, put it on, and now the car starts right up after driving. I didn't even get in it, just turned the key. Infuriating. A $1.25 clip and two years frustration after a rebuild. Anyway, i hope you resolve your issue, very grateful for this thread. Think i'm going for a drive tonight!

I just put mine back together with the same updated needle and seat configuration. Only change I did was stretch the spring that installs under the float just to give it a little more upward pressure. The float still drops all the way down as it should, I’m just hoping it will assist in closing better now. If this doesn’t work, it’s back to an original needle and seat ……lol

 

[hd78half]

Has anyone had issues with the new updates needle & seat that comes in these Tea Pot rebuild kits? Mine seems to get locked in the down position which doesn’t shut off the fuel delivery.
While the car is running I’ll start to smell fuel which turns out the fuel is overflowing onto the intake manifold.
If I shut the car off, it’s basically flooded and won’t start. Just a little tap on the threaded cap on the float / fuel inlet and it pops back into place and the car starts right up…
Any ideas or suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I might be having a similar issue. After rebuilding & re-installing the engine and then installing the Tea Pot carb after using an NPD rebuild kit, the drivers bank of cylinders runs well but the passenger bank is being flooded. Not sure if a free flowing bowl would preferentially flood only one bank of cylinders? But your posts has provided another point to check.
Note: I'm new to the forum. My hobby has been classic motorcycle restoration and working on classic cars is new. The Tea Pot is vastly more complicated than anything I've worked on previously. I'd also welcome any suggestions from other forum members as to what else to check in the carb that can cause this issue. Timing, ignition firing, and vacuum and have all been verified to be working well.