MTFCA Forum

Wanted to start my T speedster this morning (been sitting since last year).
Carb (Stromberg OE—1) is overflowing out of the float cap and intake.
Any suggestions on how to fix.

Thanks. Paul.

Carburetor inlet valve maybe stuck in the open position after the gas present when shut down last was still in the carburetor. Try giving the inlet a few taps with a handle of a screwdriver it may disrupt the sticking and get you back running again.. and then there's always that Marvel Mystery Oil to put in the gas and that may help your problem for sticky inlet valve. The other alternative is to remove the carburetor , clean and rebuild.

unscrew the cap
press down on the exposed rod, gently.

either the float has hung up or there is crud in the needle assembly...as the float rises, it lifts a pair of levers "up" which drive the needle down.

if your carb has been rebuilt with a Viton-tipped needle, you do not want to put much pressure downward, but if it still retains the original needle, you can give the rod a twist and that will often be enough to seat it. You MUST know which you have prior to twisting.

If this persists over a period of time, and it well may, remove the float bowl cover and inspect the two levers attached to it. They must move freely with no roughness or HINT of binding. Part of a rebuild entails the cleaning up of the pivot holes and replacement of the pins upon which they swing. If you get to this point out of necessity, examine the levers and if they are worn flat on the top of the float, turn them over so that a new face is presented to the top of the float. This flatness is also a cause for sticking when the engine is not providing vibration to break that sticktion.

as far as rebuilding, it is easier said, than done, requiring a number of specialty tools to do it right, and lots of jet holes and passages to clean up. At an absolute minimum, you will need an ultrasonic to get things clean. If you want clean and PRETTY, that's a whole 'nother story.

best of luck

Thanks for all the tips.
Float was stuck to the needle shaft.
Freed it up, cleaned and re-assembled.
No more leaks and speedster running again.
This forum is the absolute max!!
Happy motoring.

Glad you have it sorted Paul!
Nice pic for obvious reasons Scott.