Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs
I picked up on this possible problem over at the Chevelle forum. It seems that some of the Holley clear sight plugs are not only becoming opaque but can actually break. Here is the address:
http://www.camaros.net/cgi-bin/forum...17;t=000696;p=
http://www.camaros.net/cgi-bin/forum...17;t=000696;p=
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
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Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
Thanks for the heads up Jim. My front sight is clouded already. I noticed it earlier this summer while tinkering with the jets. I have the email addy in my address book. :thumbs:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
I had both problems with mine, they got to a point where I could not see through them then when I went to remove them they broke off, went back to the brass plugs. I suppose you could put something on the threads to keep them from sticking but if you can't see through them what good are they?
Moderator
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
Interesting, while looking at mine to check level last week I noticed I could not see thru them anymore. Tried taking them off and one was stuck and while it did come out it stripped on the way. Went back to brass, no problems now. Would hate to have them leak at speed. :eek:
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 633
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From: Hamilton, ON, Canada
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
Same problem here. I think it's time related. Mine turned opaque after a few years and broke off when I unscrewed them. If you're going to use them, they probably should be changed every couple of years. I believe mine were Moroso.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
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From: Wichita, KS
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (wayne_69_427)
I broke one of my indicators and went by the local auto parts store and got a replacement for under $5.00. Try doing that with a Quadrajet.
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Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
Yeah I've known about that for a while :yesnod: :leaving:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (SnoDrgn)
I tried them when they first came out several years ago... more like 15.
They turned yellow, dried up, and broke off when I tried to remove them.
One was so stuck in the threads that I had to use a tap to carefully force it out. What a mess.
Tried to warn people about the problem but everyone just blew me off and bought them anyways. I guess the "cool" factor was too high to resist.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
:cool:
They turned yellow, dried up, and broke off when I tried to remove them.
One was so stuck in the threads that I had to use a tap to carefully force it out. What a mess.
Tried to warn people about the problem but everyone just blew me off and bought them anyways. I guess the "cool" factor was too high to resist.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
:cool:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
I wonder if this problem exists on the new carbs? My Street Avenger has clear sight plugs (and they look like the screw in plugs) and altho I've only had it on a year they seem ok. I do have some brass plugs from an old carb in the parts bin so I guess I'll switch them out and hang on to the clear plugs if needed for tuning/adjusting times providing they are screw in of course.
[Modified by KenSny, 4:32 PM 10/28/2003]
[Modified by KenSny, 4:32 PM 10/28/2003]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
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From: Wichita, KS
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (KenSny)
They do screw in to the Holley Street Avenger. They are installed REAL TIGHT at the factory. You have now been warned.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: 30 mins north of Charlotte NC
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (MasterDave)
Interesting, I noticed I could not see thru them anymore. Tried taking them off and one was stuck and while it did come out it stripped on the way. Went back to brass, no problems now. Would hate to have them leak at speed. :eek:
Pro
Joined: May 2001
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Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Titanium Rat)
I bought a generic pair of plastic sight plugs from jegs about 4 years ago.
One of the two was perfectly polished and transparent. The other wasn't polished, so there was zero transparency from the begining. Later when I tried to remove them, they broke off within the bowls just like everyone here is describing. For a simple $2 part, I didn't feel like creating a hassle and shipping them back to jeg's, so I chalked it up to experience.
I never set the floats with the sights anyway, my driveway was too steep, so I always set them with the bowls removed, and upside-down.
Whoever is manufacturing these plugs is probably making a killing. Most people wouldn't bother with the shipping charges to send them back to a mailorder place, to get only 5 bucks back. Hell, some might even buy another set to replace one of the broken ones.
One of the two was perfectly polished and transparent. The other wasn't polished, so there was zero transparency from the begining. Later when I tried to remove them, they broke off within the bowls just like everyone here is describing. For a simple $2 part, I didn't feel like creating a hassle and shipping them back to jeg's, so I chalked it up to experience.
I never set the floats with the sights anyway, my driveway was too steep, so I always set them with the bowls removed, and upside-down.
Whoever is manufacturing these plugs is probably making a killing. Most people wouldn't bother with the shipping charges to send them back to a mailorder place, to get only 5 bucks back. Hell, some might even buy another set to replace one of the broken ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,399
Likes: 279
From: Olmsted Falls, Ohio
Re: Problem with Holley Clear Plastic Float Bowl Sight Plugs (Jim Shea)
Several emails to Holley in the past 2 days. Pointed them to the link at the Chevelle forum. They suggest that you NOT keep the clear plugs in the bowls. They are aware of the problem, as mentioned in an earlier post. I gave them my carb info (date built, ser#, etc.) and they are sending me new brass caps. I'll hang on to them as I changed out the clear plugs yesterday before I got an answer back from Holley, even tho they were still clear. Why take a chance....
