OF carburetor float stuck

[Mark Osterman]

Went out for a 55 mile drive in the country today. Was cruising steadily at 40 mph and at one point the engine started sputtering. I pulled over and found the carburetor was flooded and leaking like crazy. I turned off the valve at the gas petcock and figured there was something up with the float and valve in the carb. So I removed the cover and pulled out the float assembly.

The tip and seat looked ok but the two “butterfly” weights were not working smoothly particularly when the cover was put back on. The vertical shaft seemed to bind. So I fiddled with it, reassembled the float and cover and turned on the gas and no leak. So continued my trip. I think maybe the top of the float is also a little dented preventing the two weights from moving smoothly if the weights happen to rub up against that dented upper spot on the float. Is the float for a OF similar to others ... are replacements available?

[Ruxstel24]

The OF float is nothing like a Holley or any stock T carb. Don't think any suppliers carry them.
The needle goes through the middle of the float and can hang up with very little dirt. Just a thought.

[BuddyTheRoadster]

All the Stromberg O-series carburetors (except for the OTs) use the same float and float bowl cover, so you can always scrounge from a parts carb. Also, a lot of drivers would just unscrew the big nut on the float bowl cover and tap the needle valve until it stopped flooding. (I think that's why that nut is usually missing when we find the carbs now.)

Good luck!

[Mark Osterman]

Yes, removing the acorn nut and fiddling with the shaft was the first thing I tried. Didn’t work. After removing the cover and working the shaft and the two hinged weights it responded. One thing is that the cover is not the original. Anyone have a spare Stomberg cover?

I asked Stan and he said maybe to hit the hinges with carb cleaner. Interesting that the hinge pins are flat pieces of metal rather than round pins.

[Mark Gregush]

I have seen cotter pins used on some. Try that first or even just some round rod. Don't think flat stock was ever used as it would not aid in moving the arms up and down.

[Allan]

Mark, I would not be concerned if the cover is not the original for an OF. It was missing on the first one I found and I substituted one from Studebaker variant before I sent it to Stan Howe for rebuilding. No problems. I have since found a Stromberg one, but haven't changed it out, preferring not to upset Stan"s work.

Allan from down under.

[Mark Gregush]

By the way, if the float is dented in the area where the arms ride, flip it over. They have no top or bottom.

[Mark Osterman]

Hey Mark, Right ... I just realized that tonight. I have a little study collection of cleaned up old carburetors in the house. While looking at the float assembly on a Zenith I saw the float could be flipped end for end. I’ll check the one on the car tomorrow. Thanks for confirming that.