MTFCA Forum

I pulled the T out last weekend. Put some fresh gas in the empty tank, ran great. Next day after a few miles of driving it just did not have a lot of power and would lurch a bit. Figured there was some dirty gas from the Jerry Can. No big deal. Last night I pulled the Carb off and cleaned it, along with the filter screen.

Went out for a 8 block test drive. After three blocks it was lurching even worse, staling every time I slowed the engine down for a stop sign. I was able to restart or could pop the clutch to keep her going.

Got home, by keeping the throttle pulled down a bit. When I parked I found fuel absolutely pouring out of the bottom of the carb bowl! I lost the carb drain screw. Not sure how much fuel I lost yet. I walked the route, I could follow the fuel trail starting about 1/2 block from my house. Found the valve plug screw. It was at on the ground at the very last stop sign, 6 blocks in to the trip.

When I cleaned the carb, I found the T handled screw tool tight. As I recall, I have always put it on figure tight. So I put it back on finger tight. Guess it needs to be tool tight, or a piece of safety wire to ensure in NEVER comes loose again.

Could have ended poorly, if I had wanted to go for a long drive.

I was impressed, I could keep the carb mostly happy with such a major leak.

Wow !! Surprised you made it home.
Is that about 3 gallons per mile ??

2.5 gallons per 8 blocks.

May have found the root issue. Lever at the end of the spark lever rod, is just spinning, not rotating. We are out to dinner right now. Hope to make it home.

You have two separate problems. The spark lever has nothing to do with the carburetor, however, with the combination of the two, it is lucky that you made it home!.
Norm

Sounds like you need a fuel filter. Dirty gas is hard on a carburetor. When the filter gets blocked with trash from the tank, replace it - easy, cheap, and protects your carburetor.

How will a fuel filter keep the carb bowl drain plug from coming loose ?!? I don't get it.

I have reread the OP twice and can't see where he mentioned anything about the spark lever.

Rich Bingham wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 27, 2019 1:52 pm

How will a fuel filter keep the carb bowl drain plug from coming loose ?!? I don't get it.

It's fizicks...

John Codman wrote: ↑

Sat Apr 27, 2019 2:04 pm

I have reread the OP twice and can't see where he mentioned anything about the spark lever.

jagiven wrote: ↑

Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:07 pm

2.5 gallons per 8 blocks.

May have found the root issue. Lever at the end of the spark lever rod, is just spinning, not rotating. We are out to dinner right now. Hope to make it home.

In his second post.

"Screw tool tight".....LOL! I love that and will start using it from now on. "How's that bolt?" "She's screw tool tight!"

Seriously, I'm glad you found the problem(s). The loose bowl screw was bad enough, but combined with a mal adjusted spark it would DEFINITELY cause problems.