I have a 54' 1/2 ton and i have been having carb problems. The carb is leaking out of the throttle connection. I have sent the carb out for adjstment and have had it rebuilt and I just cant get it to stop leaking. A friend of mine told me he thinks it is the fuel pump. He says it is not functioning right which is causing this. Can the fuel pump cause the carb to leak?

No,the leaking is caused by either a float level set too high-too much gas in the bowl-or-the needle and seat are leaking and when the engine is shut off the pressure in the line continues to fill the float bowl.I cured mine by installing a rubber (Viton) tipped needle (and seat) from a CarQuest carb.kit.In some parts of the country the stuff used in the reforulated gas can dammage the Viton but have have never had this problem.We have gas with 10% Ethanol in this area plus I have used gas from many of other states.There also could be dirt or a little string or something under the needle-bowl cover would need to be removed,float removed and needle and seat inspected.

I would say your leak is an inconvieniance more than a real problem,if the leak is from around the throttle shaft and isn't from the choke bowl (running over) I have had Rochester model B carbs that will leak a little from around the throttle shaft when the car is being started, (accelerator pump squirts drops of liquid gas) with the choke on into the throat and some leaks out, also when the engine is shut down some would drip a drop or two because the shaft has worn the housing and is a little loose, it usually doesn't leak when the engine is running with the vacuumn on the throat. Does the engine run smoothly at all speeds and idle well without smelling a lot of gas, and is your gas milage ok?If the drip isn't bad enough and doesn't get onto the exhaust manifold it may not be too much of a problem. That may be your case, I don't think it is worth the cost to have the throttle shaft rebushed,for a very minor leaking shaft most carb men don't worry about a minor shaft leak, If you have a question contact Doyle Stokes he is a guru on one barrel carbs.

I must respectfully disagree. ANY raw gas leakage in the engine compartment should demand immediate attention.

A worn throttle shaft is also a major concern as it influences the fuel mixture entering the engine.

Well Raymund that is your right to disagree, but I think it is better than not driving the vehicle!
The small amount of air that leaks into the air-fuel stream is a very small porportation of the total mixture, and performance is not affected, most original Rochester carbs by nature run too rich anyway

Thanks for the warning, I won't ride with you.

I am trying to recall wether or not I have ever owned a Rochester carb on my chevs that did not show a wet spot on the throttle shaft on occasion.
I am not attempting to down play the seriousness of gasoline leaking from a carb just above a hot exhaust manifold.

Ray, The way I drive has been rated more dangerous than a mere carb shaft leak! So if you are faint of heart, you may not want to even ride in a car within 100 feet of mine!

Right Glyn, I did mean to say, in my post what you said.
I called the amount of a leak, not enough to drip onto the exhaust manifold or affect performance or to being able to smell gasoline when the engine is running, these throttle shaft leaks are not visiable when the engine is running even at an idle. Any more than a small wet spot isn't acceptable, and any visiable raw gasoline when the engine is warmed up and running isn't acceptable. With the number of these old Carbs available any throttle body that is worn past this limit should be replaced, rather than sending it off for a often expensive rebushung job, unless of course you do the job yourself.I have installed new throttle shafts that were so tight they had noticeable drag when rotated that would show a wet spot when the accelerator was vigorisly pumped prior to starting the engine. i think the reason for these leaks is in the basic way the carb is designed,as the gasoline enters very near the location of the trottle shaft and runs down onto the throttle flapper when the accelerator is pumped

-J-BROWN:If i were you i'd just rebuild the carb myself,OR have a Dependable Mechanic rebuild it for you,,BTW you might even find an old mechanic that used to rebuild these things,,I Just had a 235 carb rebuilt,And i had problems B4,,I say "Get er' done",,,,,Dave

Well even I think that is funny....Git'er done!, the carb if it really needs to be done...that is.
And get the fuel pump rebuilt by an reliable rebuilder with the new material that will resist the destructive qualities of the additives in our unleaded gasoline, rather than buying a NOS one that won't last long enough to get broke in. One I know is:

Terrill Machine Company, Deleon, Texas 76444

J-Brown-

I think this is a very common problem on these carbs.

I am still having the same problem you describe, although somewhat improved. Yesterday, I was at a VCCA Meet in Portsmouth, Ohio, and I went around and looked at every 216 engine that was there (several). Virtually every one showed signs of at least a minor leak, or at the very least discoloration on the top of the intake manifold and lower carb body.

What the guy was talking about on your fuel pump is that it might be putting out TOO MUCH fuel, and causing the flooding-over problem.

Not sure if this link will work, but go here and read, too- a discussion of this same problem.

http://vccachat.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=29;t=000239

Good luck. If you ever truly solve it, let us all know!!!