Carburetor
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Carburetor
Brought my 79 c3 with a 350 sbc to the garage, because I could smell fuel. I have Holley 4 barrel, I was just thinking an adjustment but they tell me I need a new carburetor. What would render it no good, It's I would say 10 years old. Any input would be appreciated, Thank you
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 982
From: Wauconda IL
Unless there has been a catastrophic failure to some component, (which I highly doubt), your repair shop is going for the easy fix. Just R & R the carb and send it on it's way. Holley carburetors are extremely easy to rebuild. Look for a shop that will properly diagnose the problem and make the proper repair.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
^^^^ this ^^^^^ or just take some toilet paper and place a square under:
The fuel bowls where it meets the metering block. (Primary & secondary)
The metering blocks where it meets the main body. " and "
Under the accelerator pump housing.
Those areas are prone to dribble with old gaskets and new gasoline additives.
Within a few seconds if the tissue is wet, you know which gasket(s) are guilty.
You likely don't need a complete rebuild kit. Just swap-out the 5 -6 gaskets above.
Problem solved. Very easy to do. Can be done right on the car.
Basic tools, basic knowledge.
The fuel bowls where it meets the metering block. (Primary & secondary)
The metering blocks where it meets the main body. " and "
Under the accelerator pump housing.
Those areas are prone to dribble with old gaskets and new gasoline additives.
Within a few seconds if the tissue is wet, you know which gasket(s) are guilty.
You likely don't need a complete rebuild kit. Just swap-out the 5 -6 gaskets above.
Problem solved. Very easy to do. Can be done right on the car.
Basic tools, basic knowledge.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
Likes: 7,825
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Cruise-In VIII Veteran
A leaky Holley can often be fixed up by just snugging up the float bowl bolts.
I personally would learn to read a repair manual.
This shop you have taken your car to clearly is looking for the easy way out. And frankly likely easier to just fix the leak.
I personally would learn to read a repair manual.
This shop you have taken your car to clearly is looking for the easy way out. And frankly likely easier to just fix the leak.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,135
Likes: 4,245
From: US-PNW
^^^^^Exactly ^^^^^. If the shop truly knew about carburetors they'd know that re-gasketing one is pretty quick and simple. I'd say they haven't diagnosed, tuned, or worked on a carbureted engine because if they have, they'd know the benefits of working with what you have.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 904
Likes: 569
From: Central NJ
Unless you have seen where it's leaking, don't just assume it's the carb, does it smell worse under the hood, how about back by the tank... could be a weeping fuel line fitting, those rubber hoses back by the tank or any other rubber fuel lines, the canister could be fuel soaked.. Few years ago I had a bad heat soak/vapor lock issue and you could smell fuel after the car sat for a half hour-no leaks but the bowls were boiling fuel....Take your dipstick out and smell the oil-any fuel smell?
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