I have an edelbrock 1411. Last night I started it up to warm up and walked away. maybe 5 mins later I came back and it was dead and smelled like gas. Truck wouldn't crank, acted siezed. Fuel pump was still running and when I looked underneath there was a steady stream of gas running onto the ground. I popped hood and top of intake had pools of fuel. I couldn't tell exactly where on the carb it was coming from, but I know it was coming from the driver side at the least. Fuel line is intact, no leak.

What on the carb would leak fuel into and onto the engine? Is it possible enough fuel went into the engine to lock it? I've got the carb top off and it looks dirty inside, but I don't know what specifically to address. Where was the fuel likely coming from?

 

Sounds like a stuck needle and seat on the driver's side.

Yes, enough fuel could have run into the engine to cause a hydraulic lock.

My guess is all the fuel came from the fuel tank.

The stuck needle and seat would allow the fuel to pass through the carb and into the engine, filling a cylinder or two, as well as come out the bowl vents, puddle on the intake and run onto the ground. The odds are pretty good that you crankcase is filled with fuel also.

I would pull all the spark plugs, clean them off and turn the engine over by hand to pump any fuel out of the cylinders. This fuel is what is most likely causing the engine to act seized (hydraulic lock).
Next, replace the oil and oil filter with fresh and reinstall the plugs.

Now you have to address the fuel leak.
You talk about the fuel pump still running with the engine stalled. You have an electric pump? Do you know what the output pressure of the pump is? Do you have a pressure regulator in the fuel line? Is it set a 5 psi of lower? High fuel pressure can lift the needle off the seat and cause the problems you have described.

If the fuel pressure is correct you will need to go to the carb.

At a minimum you will need to pop the top off your carb and check things out. From your description it sounds like you will need a new needle and seat on the driver's side. Worst case would be a complete carb overhaul.
While Edelbrock carbs aren't the most complicated carbs, I wouldn't recommend their inspection and rebuild to a first timer.

Good luck.

Roger Carter

 

Thanks. I've got the carb apart now and got a rebuild kit. It's pretty dirty inside so I'm gonna clean it up and just do the min to get it working. I'm hoping there was just dirt in it causing the issue. I'll check out what you mention and report back.

 

Well, looks like it was dirt. When I took out both needles, one has the screen still intact and caked with crap, the other is missing. Truck had NO fuel filter when I got it so I'm surprised it didn't do this earlier.

Replaced both needles/seats, Cleaned every hole I can find and cleaned inside/out. I'm trying not to mess with anything that involves tuning as it was set pretty good and I don't want to do that in a parking lot where the truck sits. Getting ready to go reinstall and see what happens.

Still gotta address fuel in cylinders/oil. Good times...

**It was also missing the big spring at the bottom of the PUmp Plunger. Not sure what difference that makes, but I installed the one from the kit.

 

Better check it out closely. Truck go BOOM

 

Check what out closely? Fuel in the oil/cylinders? I already know what it's from, the carb. I just have to get it all out.

 

At least getting what's in the cylinders out isnt hard; just pull the plugs and turn it over a few times and it'll evacuate the cylinders all over your engine compartment.

 

I didn't even have to do that, when I pulled the plugs from the rear cylinders gas POURED out. :P

Got oil drained, cranked a little while with plugs out to clean out cylinders, left the plugs out for the night to try to evap whats left. When I get to work in the AM I'll put new oil in, put the plugs back in and see if she'll fire up. Wish me luck.

 

Dang Brian one thing after another. (Note to self) now I see why an elec fuel pump is not that good an idea?

 

Tell me about it. I really hate fixing other peoples messes.

 

I hope you didn't crank it with the oil drained.

RC

 

um.....oops!

 

There is plenty of residual oil left in the engine and in parts to not hurt anything during cranking. It didn't hurt anything in that short a time.

Truck is running again and no fuel leaks. Guess I put carb back together right. :P