Rochester Carb Gurus…
 

I tried starting my 67 Camaro today for the first time this year. The choke wasn’t working properly when I got it last year, so I have always had to pump the gas to keep it running until it was warm. Today it had trouble starting so I got out to take a look and gas was dripping down beneath the car. The manifold had a good amount of gas pooled on it, so I pulled the breather and found that the top of the carb was wet and there was some gas on the air filter.

I’ve never been good with carbs, so I will likely flat bed it to a shop, but before I do is there anything you guys would suggest that I try first? Thanks in advance!

Float is likely stuck open from hanging there when the carb dried out. Try tapping lightly on the side of the bowl near the front and see if it won't break free. You'll know when you crank it over. If it's still stuck gas will come out of the bowl vent next to the accelerator pump.

Send it to eric the master!

Just might in the end. The car is going into another member’s shop and he is going to go through it to make everything 100% and ensure it is ready to cruise. Ordered new tires, heater core and a bunch of other small things that we weren’t 100% happy with. If the carb needs more than a quick cleaning, I’ll be sending it out…

This happens to my Qjet carb from a long sleep too. The float gets stuck to the bottom of the carb base (ethanol fuel leaves a residue when evaporated). I pour a SMALL amount of gasoline in the vent hole, then using a thin screw driver, tap the top of the float thru the vent hole to dislodge the float. You can tell when the float is "floating" as the screw driver can press down on the float. When it is stuck to the bottom you cannot push it down further.

Thanks Kevin, I’ll try that!

Be sure to check the oil before you start it again. There is a very good chance that some of the fuel got into the cylinders and past the ring into the oil. This could do some damage to the bearings.

Thanks for the advice. I didn’t turn it over much when I was trying to start it, but I do plan on checking the oil when I get the car down from the lift this weekend. It’s getting a full service when it goes to Paul’s shop in addition to the other items.