fuel check valve

[majicwrench]

I would make dang sure the fuel is actually leaving the carb before I replaced it. As for a check valve ( do you have a mechanical pump?) if you put it back by the tank it should keep the fuel line full. If you put it by the carb you will not be accomplishing much.
Keith

[mbouse]

even with new electronic fuel pump

[captainben]

Magicwrench, thanks for the suggestion.

[So Cal Mark]

can your mechanic of 40 years explain how the fuel rises up in the float bowl, sneaks past the closed needle to return to the tank?

[captainben]

I suspect that he would tell me that there's not enough fuel left in the carb to start it, and it won't start until about 25 seconds of pumping from the electronic fuel pump gets more fuel there. I suspect that I won't know the answer to that for sure until I try the check valve, and then, if I have to, replace the carb.

[racydave]

Why don't you pull the fuel line and crank the engine. If it takes a long time to recieve fuel, then next I would look for old rubber hoses that can allow air to enter the lines.

[carl55]

captainben
My car started and ran long enough to back out of the parking space and head down the street. Then it took forever to start. There should be enough gas in the carb to start the car.

Thanks for the reply

Carl

[maytag]

I suspect that he would tell me that there's not enough fuel left in the carb to start it, and it won't start until about 25 seconds of pumping from the electronic fuel pump gets more fuel there. I suspect that I won't know the answer to that for sure until I try the check valve, and then, if I have to, replace the carb.

Ben:
unless you've been into a carb personally, you may not understand the confusion you're hearing: the float bowl (on your carb) should have something close to 6 cubic inches (I'm making a guess; something close to 2x3x1) of fuel in it when you shut the motor down. This is, quite obviously, more than enough fuel to start your car. There is no physical way for the fuel that is in the bowl to 'drain' or otherwise make it's way back to the tank. If you and your mechanic are suggesting that you are losing 6 cubic inches of fuel every time you park the car, then imagine what that would do to your mileage?

In an effort to help you diagnose this, and in all seriousness: how old are you? wait! before you throw something.... if you aren't old enough to be very familiar with non-F.I.'ed cars, you may not be using the gas pedal at all as part of your starting routine?

Just askin'. On a fuel-injected car, you can hit the starter and the cylinder will get fuel, and start. On a carb'd car, that won;t happen 'til you press the pedal. I may be statin' the obvious for ya, but we've got to start somehwere.

[racydave]

Setting the choke is a good idea, and having previous carbd cars is for us "older gen" folks.

[captainben]

I'm probably old enough to be your father. The car has an automatic choke, and, yes, I do use the gas pedal. I'm also replacing the plugs with hotter ones and adding a new set of plug wires. I'm trying to hit all of the bases before I look at adding a new carb.

[captainben]

P.S. - No raw gas smell, no visible gas leaks, and no Fiat Chernobyl meltdowns.

[So Cal Mark]

after you shut the engine down, remove the air cleaner and let the car sit overnight. Before any attemp to start it, work the throttle by hand while looking down the primary throat of the carb. You should see at least one squirt from the accelerator pump discharge nozzle. If not, the bowl and pump cavity are empty. Feel under the pump cover where the arm pivots. If you feel any wetness, the cover is leaking. Usually the fuel will evaporate quickly on a small leak so that you don't see any wetness.
If you're still convinced the fuel is returning to the tank, clamp off the fuel hoses or disconnect them from the carb and see what the result is in the morning

[captainben]

Thanks Mark. I'll try that.

[captainben]

Mark, if it comes to it, do you have a recommendation for a carburetor?

[racydave]

The link for Bradly Artiques carb and performance page did not work, Sorry...