MGB

Have a '78 L82 that will not start most of the time after sitting overnight. Starts great with a shot or two of starting fluid. The problem is that there's no gas or not enough gas in the carb bowl to pump into the venturis, ie, IT IS NOT PUMPING GAS INTO THE VENTURIS. I know that there is the age old question of the gas "draining" through the bottom of the carb bowl and also that the gas is being "siphoned" back to tank by way of the fuel pump. My bench testing of the bowl shows that the gas will remain in the carb overnight so I'm thinking the fuel pump is the culprit. Maybe an in-line feul filter with a check valve built-in would help? Or of course changing fuel pumps. Any ideas out there or has anyone else had this same issue?

...Roger...

I removed the clip that holds the needle and it stopped the draining back.

MGB

Hey Roger, are you referring to the needle and seat in the carb?

...Roger...

Yes , Lars suggested it and it worked for me.

MGB

Thanks Roger. Lars rebuilt this carb a year or so ago. I guess he put the clip in place at the rebuild, haven't had the carb torn down since. I'll try that. Thanks again

...Roger...

Just to be sure your problem is "fuel draining back" you might want to clamp off the rubber line at the pump after shutting the car off and see if that fixes it.
If draining back is the problem I personally would rather see you buy a new pump with a good check valve in it rather than tear into a Lars rebuild.
I did the removing of the clip as an experimental thing on my own car because it had a new "no name" pump on it.Before selling the car I replaced the pump with a new AC.