Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

It seems my carb has a stuck float. Possibly it can be cured with chewing gum, but if it can't I'm thinking rebuilt.

Is this something that gets done locally or is it better togo with a specialist? If so, who?

Side question: the Manual refers to this as a Carter 4GC, but when you look at rebuild kits they speak of a Rochester 4gc. What gives?

It's a Rochester 4GC. Similar if not the same to those used by many GM cars of the time. The Carter WGD or WCFB was on Clippers.

There is probably a carb builder locally familiar with them but IMO, judging by the luck you seem to have so far with local mechanics on doing your AC and alternator, I'm not sure what to suggest. You could have them look but if any serious work is needed, I'd be sorely tempted to go with an already rebuilt exchange from one of our vendors or to remove your carb and ship to Daytona Partshttp://www.daytonaparts.com/.

If it turns out not to be a stuck valve and you do need a new float, am sure they could come up with one easier than your mechanic. If they turn out to be too pricy, and you need a rebuild at least get the number off the tag and order a good quality kit from Daytona and hope for the best.

Have someone take the carb apart and look at it. I would avoid a complete rebuild. If it ran fine before recent problems then most likey the problem can be cured with minimal work.

Most carb problems (ANY CARB OF ANY APPLICAION OR AGE) is usualy just dirt. Now we have the ethanol to deal with. Somene recently bought a brand name kit from a well known parts chain and it was not eth compatiable.

The problem is that everyone says "oh throw a kit in it". It very well may need a complete rebuild. NOT likely since u have been driving the car recently with no carb problems?????

Need to find someone willing to work with u rather than just constantly throwing new parts and kits at the car.

Again. let me streess, that any old iron (except maybe chevies and fords) are R&D projects. Not cook book recipies.

In my 40+ years of experience across at least 2 dozen different carburetors across a wide variety of applications, mostly cars and lite trucks, especialy if recently running, the problems are 70% dirty or poor adjustments(no kit required), 10% bad needles, 10% extreeme wear of parts that do NOT come in kits at all, 10% minor misc.

I've probably bought less than 5 kits in 40 yearsa nd they always missing SOME part or part that is not exactly rite.

Another problem is that to do a really good rebuild one must study the carb and all of it's channels and circuits. TIME CONSUMING! Most mechanics do not want to learn a NEW carb for a one time shot because they will never use that knowledge again. Unless u pay on a time and material basis. Alot of time. Potentialy alot of material.

I don't always agree with PackardV8s comments, but in this one in particular he is absolutely on target:


Another problem is that to do a really good rebuild one must study the carb and all of it's channels and circuits. TIME CONSUMING! Most mechanics do not want to learn a NEW carb for a one time shot because they will never use that knowledge again.....

I suppose the real question here is:
Just exactly what makes PatGreen think that the float is stuck????

Is the carb spewing gasoline out of it or what???

One of the fellows in the North Hills Historic Auto Club in Pittsburgh, PA is an experienced carab repair/rebuild craftsman. He is officially retired, but services the club. I'll send his name and phone number in a PM. He has done work for me and I can vouch for his ability.

Bernardi

There is a carb guy in Rockford,Illinois. He buys, sells and rebuilds carbs.

There is no partial rebuild on a carb. Take it apart. Clean it. Put it back together.

Quote:

As one who as recently dealt with a variety of carburetor problems I have gotten familiar with Daytona's Website. I believe I saw that they have the correct floats. Number 21-38B is listed as the float for the 1955 4GC. The kit number is 1218. I'm not sure if the kit includes new floats as I couldn't get the picture of the kit to come up. As matter of fact, I had a bit of trouble with the site - probably my fault. I also don't know if the '55 kit is the same one for the '56 - other's here should know about differences between those two years.

I also gotta agree with PackardV8 about dirt. With all the trouble I had with the "Part Throttle System" the cause was evidently a little tiny piece of black snot that blew out with compressed air. I say evidently as the car ran like crap before I removed that spec and like a dream now - confirmed by a drive I just came back from. Mine did act a bit like it was flooding out until I checked my floats and found no problem.

By the way, I'm currently driving without the kit from Daytona - it simply hasn't come yet and I'll probably wait until winter to use it (knock on wood).

Well I ordered a kit plus floats from Daytona. New mechanic with carb experience and masochistic tendencies.

It will be toiled, boiled, oiled, jetted and vetted.

If it works I will know this was my week to get lottery tickets.