Model Ts Sure Run Funny When the Carb Drain Valve is Open!

[CudaMan]

It was sunny and a little above freezing today, so I decided to take Betsy for a drive. I got to the top of my street and she started hesitating and finally stopped in the middle of the street.

A quick inspection revealed a trail of rapidly evaporating gasoline back towards my house and a growing puddle of gas under the car.

Turned out that I had forgotten to close the carb bowl drain valve after parking the car the last time (I always shut off the fuel feed and drain the carb bowl after every drive). I'm surprised that I didn't notice the gusher while the car was idling in the garage!

I never realized how many turns it takes to close that valve until I had gas gushing out of it and all over my arm while I was trying to close it.

[Scottio]

Then again it’s a good idea to flush out the system now and then. I’ve done the same thing but discovered my mistake before I got under way. Probably more than once.

[Rich Eagle]

I was asked to get a T running for a guy with a freshly overhauled engine. He had installed it but didn't start it for 2 years because the carb leaked whenever he opened the shut-off valve. Yep, same problem.
Rich

[Ruxstel24]

Must've had a piece of goo in the drain at first and the first gear rev vibratory effect opened it up. Otherwise I doubt it would have started and ran. Whoopsies

I did that on the radiator drain once, the motometer does not work with no water
But the engine lets you know right quick !!

[RustyFords]

An old car is not truly yours until: 1) you bleed on it and 2) it runs gas all the way down your arm and into your armpit.

[NHUSA]

Don,
Your reply deserves a thread by itself.

You old car isn’t truly yours until ——

[Duey_C]

Agreed Fred! Don: It's up to you now... No pressure at all.
Yet I'm unsure what to say! No wait. Many things.
Too much machinery has pottied on my arms. Dern things.
When you've exhausted both your arms and then both your legs trying to start that mXXXXX fXXXXX and it still gives you the finger.
Step away.
Sorry Mark.

[46woodduck]

Seems like these are the kind of things we all learn in our automotive adventures. Sort of like changing the oil and forgetting to replace the drain plug. Did that once in 1963...haven't done it since.

[Original Smith]

I'm surprised it ran at all!

[Art McTevia]

Mark why do you drain your carb every time ? I haven't drained mine in 4 years. Just asking . It seems like everybody else on here does it quite often also. Maybe I need to . Or maybe I have just been lucky. Still learning.

[CudaMan]

Just an over-abundance of caution, I suppose. Allows the float needle to drop away from its seat while the car is sitting in the garage, possibly reducing any tendency for it to stick.