Forums
NautiqueParts.comNautiqueSkins.com - Correct Craft Upholstery and Part
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Holley Carb float bowl vent leaking
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

Holley Carb float bowl vent leaking

 Post Reply Post Reply   
Author
Lakerider80 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: September-02-2020
Location: Dryden
Status: Offline
Points: 20
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lakerider80 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Holley Carb float bowl vent leaking
    Posted: September-12-2021 at 9:22pm
I noticed the other day that the carb float bowls vents (the ones on the bowls and not the ones aimed into the intake) were leaking at a pretty quick rate. I pull off the old sealant, clean the metal up with a wire brush and some brake clean and then used some JB Weld SteelStik as it apparently is more fuel resistant than other JB welds. Stopped the leaks and got me back on the water. Just figured I'd share my experience in case anyone else runs across the same issue. 

 
Back to Top
KENO View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah


Joined: June-06-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 11118
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-13-2021 at 6:53am
Those aren't really vents, they're plugs that fill holes that were drilled to allow for drilling/machining internal passages in the bowl. When the drilling/machining is done the holes need to be plugged otherwise they'd be a giant unwanted leak

Under the epoxy job that somebody did originally, there's a plug with an O ring. The plug is pressed in and pretty much impossible to get out without destroying it.

The O ring can get old and brittle and then the plug leaks.

Your front bowl has 2 plugs like that and the rear has 2 plugs like that

I only see pictures of 2 that you did the epoxy job on. I'll guess that the other 2 got epoxied also by whoever did the original "fix"

The epoxy fix is pretty common. Whoever did yours maybe didn't do a good prep job

Some people will say that you need to replace the bowl, others go the epoxy route with good luck 

Here's a picture of what the plug looks like


Only one plug was destroyed to get that picture Wink


Back to Top
KENO View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah


Joined: June-06-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 11118
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-13-2021 at 7:25am
Here's a picture with little red arrows pointing to all 4 plug locations on your carburetor




Back to Top
Lakerider80 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: September-02-2020
Location: Dryden
Status: Offline
Points: 20
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lakerider80 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-13-2021 at 12:52pm
I tried looking for the replacement plugs and couldn’t find any. Any idea of a part number or where to get them or if it’s even worth trying to replace them? It’s far from a show boat so I’m really not too worried about the look. Especially if the JB does the trick but I do try to fix things correctly rather than cobbling things together.
Back to Top
Gary S View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah
Avatar

Joined: November-30-2006
Location: Illinois
Status: Offline
Points: 14096
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gary S Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-13-2021 at 2:15pm
There are no replacements you have to replace the complete bowel
69 Mustang HM SS
95 Nautique Super Sport
Back to Top
Lakerider80 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: September-02-2020
Location: Dryden
Status: Offline
Points: 20
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lakerider80 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-14-2021 at 9:04am
Well it looks like the JB weld fix is the way to go then, thats crazy to replace a $0.03 o-ring you have to buy a whole new bowl, and knowing Holley it’s probably at least $50 just for the bowl that will probably end up leaking within a few seasons. 
Back to Top
scootdogydog View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: November-03-2013
Location: Central MA
Status: Offline
Points: 404
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote scootdogydog Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-14-2021 at 9:48am
I understand Gary's statement that the plugs are not available by themselves but o-rings can be bought. I get o-rings at Fastenal, but you'd have to have a plug that isn't jb welded to the bowl in order to replace the o-ring
1999 Python
1980 Ski Tique
1968 Mustang WIP
Back to Top
KENO View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah


Joined: June-06-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 11118
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-14-2021 at 12:19pm
Originally posted by scootdogydog scootdogydog wrote:

I understand Gary's statement that the plugs are not available by themselves but o-rings can be bought. I get o-rings at Fastenal, but you'd have to have a plug that isn't jb welded to the bowl in order to replace the o-ring

I guess you're gonna have to explain how to get a leaky plug (that hasn't been epoxied) out of the bowl without destroying the plug  Wink
Back to Top
KENO View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah


Joined: June-06-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 11118
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-15-2021 at 8:33pm
Originally posted by KENO KENO wrote:

Originally posted by scootdogydog scootdogydog wrote:

I understand Gary's statement that the plugs are not available by themselves but o-rings can be bought. I get o-rings at Fastenal, but you'd have to have a plug that isn't jb welded to the bowl in order to replace the o-ring

I guess you're gonna have to explain how to get a leaky plug (that hasn't been epoxied) out of the bowl without destroying the plug  Wink

Sometimes you throw out that challenge like my quote above and then decide that you should maybe take that challenge yourself.

Today, after thinking about it some, I came up with a relatively simple way of getting the top plug out without damaging the plug or the bowl in the process. Side plug.............well that's a different story

And as an added extra bonus, you can put it back together with a new O ring. 

Pretty much any self respecting semi accomplished backyard hack can do it   Wink

Will it leak? Beats me, but I'll know tomorrow and post the process either here or in a new separate thread
Back to Top
Lakerider80 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: September-02-2020
Location: Dryden
Status: Offline
Points: 20
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Lakerider80 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-15-2021 at 9:38pm
I am really excited to see what you’ve come up with. I doubt I am the only one that’s had this problem with very old and dry O rings leaking enough fuel that a engine fire might be a real possibility. That’d be a real day ruiner.
Back to Top
KENO View Drop Down
Grand Poobah
Grand Poobah


Joined: June-06-2004
Location: United States
Status: Offline
Points: 11118
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote KENO Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: September-16-2021 at 12:36pm
Click on the link for what I did  Wink

Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Copyright 2024 | Bagley Productions, LLC