I am still chipping away at my 38 Master sedan and always bothered me that the car reeked of gas every time I ran her, but my prior 60 Impala smelled like gas and so did my prior 38 Town sedan. This time my engine started smoking and I discovered some liquid below the carburetor mount cooking on the exhaust resulting in smoke burning off. Initially I couldn't discover the source but today I went to the other side of the carb and saw glistening from a brass screw. I continue to examine the screw only to discover gas was leaking from that brass screw and possibly the other lower brass screw. I will do research but lazily asking if I can simply remove screw, add teflon tape and call it day? Pictures tell some of the story
Thank you,
Mike
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Hi Mike
As per Tiny above, Chip is the guy to talk to.
But in the mean time, the short answer is no, there isn't anything you can wrap with teflon tape.
There are sealing washers under the heads of the screws (most screws have flat, but one has tapered).
You could possible put a very small amount of non-hardening gasket sealer on the washers, BUT...
those screws can sometimes be VERY hard to get out, and can end up getting buggered up in the process...
so be aware of that.
If you are lucky, the screw might come out with the carb on the engine, but I wouldn't try too hard.
I've had great success using an impact screwdriver and a hammer with a bit that fits the slot as perfectly as possible.
But, you have to have the carb off the engine and resting on a block of wood for that.
Hope the screw comes out easy for you! 🙂
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts
There are some soft metal washers (copper or brass) that should be installed on those tapered screws. Because of ethanol in gasoline many of the older sealants like Permatex are not as gasoline resistant as in the past. I am not a fan of silicone sealants with gasoline. I did find a gas resistant paste type thread sealer at a HVAC supplier. Seems to work well so far.
How sweet the roar of a Chevy four
Participant on Chatter since 11/22/2001
19758 posts on the former Chatter site
Thank you as usual gents. This is a rebuilt carb from a gent in northern ca. 2/2 carbs have problems but too much time passed this time.
-What is behind these screws, anything?
-what is the purpose of these screws?
What alternative is there after I remove the screws? Should I replace screws with new in addition to new gaskets? Do I have to purchase and entire rebuild kit to get the screws and gaskets?
Hi Mike
You shouldn't have to replace anything if nothing is destroyed in removing them.
The plug in your last picture (the one that angles upward) has the main nozzle (which sticks up into the venturi) behind it.
A new washer or something to help seal the one already there is all you need there.
The other plug (the horizontal one near the idle screw) is an idle passage plug and a new washer or something to help seal it is all you need there as well.
But...
Hidden from view in your pictures is a "plug" underneath that first plug which is in a passage that runs straight up into the carburetor.
THAT "plug" is actually the low speed jet, and is the one with a tapered washer for sealing.
THAT one is a bit trickier.
If it is removed and ANYTHING is done with the washer, the hole on the tip away from the outside end of it should be CAREFULLY and VERY SLIGHTLY enlarged with something like a leather awl.
That tip wedges into a tapered seat and forms an important seal of it's own each time the jet is installed.
The alternative is to just install a new jet (if you can get one).
Hope I haven't scared you off of doing the work yourself, it's really not that hard. 🙂
Ole S Olson
Saskatoon, Sask, Canada
1139 old site posts
Thank you Ole. i need to find a proper seal for those screws, it seems the upper screw is leaking but I didnt find any more leaks up to this point. I don’t expect to tamper with the the low speed jet. I feel more confident when I do something myself at least in my Chevrolet. I will keep you all posted.
The Filling Station has the washers pictured in their kits. https://store.fillingstation.com/dept/Fuel+System/cat/Carburetor.html
They are special washers and I don't think they are sold separately but you could ask. The Carburetor Shop https://www.thecarburetorshop.com/ has excellent kits as well. Jon takes calls on Monday and Tuesday.
Dave
Jon is also a regular contributor to Chat under the handle carbking.
7046 old site posts
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet
1938 Master Business Coupe
1953 210 Sedan
Looks like I need plug washer gaskets