When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Finished replacing the intake gasket on my 74 big block. Got it all out back together with plans to finally start it today.
it started, but after maybe 20-30 seconds it stalled. the carb immediately filled with fuel and would even spit fuel out the top of the carb when stalling.
took the carb off and it was filled with fuel. the float looks fine. Float wasn’t filled with fuel and didn’t appear to be rubbing or stuck anywhere.
i didn’t have this issue pre taking the intake manifold off.
Finished replacing the intake gasket on my 74 big block. Got it all out back together with plans to finally start it today.
it started, but after maybe 20-30 seconds it stalled. the carb immediately filled with fuel and would even spit fuel out the top of the carb when stalling.
took the carb off and it was filled with fuel. the float looks fine. Float wasn’t filled with fuel and didn’t appear to be rubbing or stuck anywhere.
i didn’t have this issue pre taking the intake manifold off.
Is your float not attached to the needed with a small hanger clip to raise it? Not sure they are all configured that way but every one I've rebuilt was
sorry my bad if I'm wrong, looks like yours may be different than I've seen?
Last edited by Golfobsessed; Mar 28, 2026 at 05:46 PM.
could it be cemented since i haven’t tried to start it since October as mentioned?
What is holding the needle to the float, they should be two pieces.
Didn't notice any comment about October, there isn't any, so yes something could, dirt/deposit, could have caused this.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You have a completely junk, aftermarket needle/seat assembly. It may have been installed due to stripped out threads in the bowl. Inspect your threads and the gasket sealing surface. Then throw that crap needle/seat assembly into the trash can and install a correct needle/seat. I think JCWhitney sold those Chinese needle/seat assemblies in their $5 carb kits.
The inlet seat and needle should look like this, and the inlet hole in the seat should be .135" diameter:
Installed, it should look like this (your '74 has a longer float hinge pin than the one shown here):
I haven't looked into a rebuild yet. Funds are low on this restoration project. I have to replace all the brake lines still along with aligning it and new tires. The tires that are on it are 30 years old. Just to get it on the road.
having the whole carb rebuilt isnt very far down the list though, because I know mine is in rough shape.
I haven't looked into a rebuild yet. Funds are low on this restoration project. "
.
I rebuilt a big block Q jet today and tonight it cranked right up after meticulously following Chris and Lars instructions. I suggest you buy Chris Ruggles Q jet book and ask Lars to send you all of his Q jet tech papers.
Both are excellent and I have rebuilt several using these 2 resources.
Not sure who makes the best rebuild kit these days. Last kit I bought was from QuadrajetParts.com but they may be out of business now?
Hope this might help.
Last edited by 20mercury; Mar 28, 2026 at 10:49 PM.
Building and restoring classic cars is a marathon not a sprint.
Try to focus on one thing or item at a time, fix or repair it then move on to the next item.
Get it running, dependable, then make sure it’s safe before you roll down the road.
Building and restoring classic cars is a marathon not a sprint.
Try to focus on one thing or item at a time, fix or repair it then move on to the next item.
Get it running, dependable, then make sure it’s safe before you roll down the road.
Building and restoring classic cars is a marathon not a sprint.
Try to focus on one thing or item at a time, fix or repair it then move on to the next item.
Get it running, dependable, then make sure it’s safe before you roll down the road.
Absolutely! Thankfully the funds keep it going nice and slow, but it gives me something to play with on The Weeknd’s I am not running kids around. My dad bought it 30 years ago with plans to restore it and never did. I bought it from him last spring. The previous owners kept a list of everything they did and every receipt, so I figured I would do the same thing. I will add the mileage I did it at once it finally moves lol.
As an update, I got a new needle and seat. Installed it. Went to start it and found the battery and started dead. Both were under warranty, so shipped them back and got replacements this week. Installed them this weekend and the corvette is doing even less when I got to start it. I am thinking I messed something up in the distributor when I replaced the intake manifold gaskets.
As an update, I got a new needle and seat. Installed it. Went to start it and found the battery and started dead. Both were under warranty, so shipped them back and got replacements this week. Installed them this weekend and the corvette is doing even less when I got to start it. I am thinking I messed something up in the distributor when I replaced the intake manifold gaskets.
Your original post stated it started and then flooded.
So why now are you thinking about the distributor?
Assuming you only replaced the needle and seat since it started last time?
Does the choke close?
If you open the throttle by hand do you see gas squirt into the primary side?
Carb almost immediately flooding
