flooding carb on super 8

Posted by supereight On 2010/9/26 14:15:38

My 1939 super 8 will not start. The carb will often flood gas through the drain pipe continuously as the engine is turned,with either the choke open or closed, or foot on gas pedal or off, makes no difference just floods, a lot of gas pours down the pipe for as long as the engine is turned.
I have checked the fuel level in the bowl it was slightly less than 5/8th and I have increased it to 5/8th, the float is fine and free. I have turned the car with the top of the carb off and the fuel level remains constant i.e. the needle seals off OK, the triangular needle is stainless steel tipped not rubber, the shop manual says the point of the triangle should face down, which it was with the top of the carb off but when you reassemble there is nothing to stop this from turning in its tube.
I have cleaned the carb out, all passages clear. The accelerator pump works and the leather is OK.
Why does the gas flood through the carb? I have also run the cars pressure adjustable aux electric pump with the carb open but on the car and again the fuel level stays at the correct level in the bowl. I only use the pump for filling the carb after the car has been standing for sometime.
The battery is a double 6V high output type that will crank for hours, the plugs are probably fouled now as well, but I must sort the flooding
Carb is an EE23 original restored some time ago ie correct for this car.
There is no silt in the tank and the gas line is filtered
Any suggestions gratefully received.