Holley 1904 Leaking Problem
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 693
Likes: 18
From: Atascadero, CA
The pictures make the bowl opening look like it isn't square, and the sides of the opening don't look straight. Maybe its the camera you are using? Anyway, I would remove the gasket and put the bowl cover in place to see if it fits flat inside the flange that surrounds the bowl opening. That way you can confirm the bowl cover still fits the way it is supposed to. If the carburetor body is distorted, it may be preventing the bowl cover from contacting the gasket the way it should causing a leak. Am I making sense?
While you are test fitting with the gasket removed, I would also make sure the float hinge pin is not sticking out far enough to prevent the bowl cover from sealing on the gasket. Also, the throttle return spring appears to be working its way through the bracket. Two springs, one inside the other, will go a long way toward preventing the dreaded throttle stuck wide open syndrome.
While you are test fitting with the gasket removed, I would also make sure the float hinge pin is not sticking out far enough to prevent the bowl cover from sealing on the gasket. Also, the throttle return spring appears to be working its way through the bracket. Two springs, one inside the other, will go a long way toward preventing the dreaded throttle stuck wide open syndrome.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Welcome to the world of real old time wrenching. New parts are great but the last time I went to the local parts store for a 1904 kit, it was $75!!.
for me, half the enjoyment I get is from improvising, cut, fit, modify, weld things to make them work. I also appreciate the internet and all the avenues it opens but in some ways it's made us too dependent on running to the keyboard instead of to the wrenches.
for me, half the enjoyment I get is from improvising, cut, fit, modify, weld things to make them work. I also appreciate the internet and all the avenues it opens but in some ways it's made us too dependent on running to the keyboard instead of to the wrenches.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Lakeport, California
Not my original post
The carb pictured above is not mine. I was reading the post and just jumped on board lol My carb does have a warp and my question was is there a way to fix this other than getting a squared up carb? Slightly thicker gasket? Use fuel resistant rtv??? I've never actually seen any drips but you can see where the fuel drips onto the manifold.
4th Gear
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Similar experience here with my 1959 Ford F-250 I believe fitted with a 1954 233 Straight Six with Holley 1904 glass bowl. Although the female thread bases look warped, the glass bowl seemed to fit evenly with the metal base of the carb (with no gasket as a test fit). Mike's Carburetor parts gasket for Holley 1904 fit like a glove. But when I used the G170 Black Nitrate coated gasket it still leaked. When I swapped it out with a home made cork version cut from Fel-Pro 1/16" cork/rubber sheet, it sealed up nicely right away. So I would suggest cork for the gasket between the glass bowl and carb base. Ordered G3373 cork gasket from Mike's as backup in case the rubber/cork matrix doesn't hold up to the gasoline over time, but for now, non more drips onto the manifold.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 38
Likes: 2
I broke one of the clips holding the glass bowl on. So I gave in and ordered a metal bowl from Mikes. In 10 minutes no more leaks. If I could find another glass bowl with clips, I might try it again. But for now, no gas on the manifold!
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 31,895
Likes: 2,385
From: Upstate NY
Those clips look pretty easy to make. Use your old one and make a flat piece and then bend it up if you want to get back to glass.
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