HELP - Stalled / Fuel Leaking From Carb

[NJBronk]

So I drove the bronco to work today because it's beautiful out (65 this morning and 80's now). No issues in the morning. I went to take it to lunch and started it up without using the electric choke (didn't pump gas pedal before cranking), it started and then stalled and died after a few seconds. So I tried cranking it for a couple minutes (probably too much) with no luck, before going back inside to eat and give it 30 minutes to cool off. I then went out and started it with the choke, then when the idle kicked down it wanted to stall again so I kept on the pedal a little bit to keep it running thinking maybe it needed to warm up, but it still wanted to die at idle.

So I remove the air cleaner and see fuel dripping down into the barrels and I see puddles of fuel on the intake! So I quickly mop that up with a rag and now I'm afraid to mess with it anymore...

I'm guessing whatever caused it to stall initially is also what caused the flooding? Unless I should have started with the choke from the beginning and then flooded it by cranking it too long? I'm not sure if there's anything I can do at this point in my work garage... I'm pretty ignorant of carbs in general.

Any ideas?

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, I would wait a few hours and then go and try to start it, by just turning the key, with the air filter off. If it starts and idles, get out and see f any fuel is dripping out of the carb.
Fuel coming out of the carb could be a stuck float. If fuel is coming out of the carb I would gently tap the top of the carb where the fuel line goes in. If the fuel doesn't stop the carb may have to come apart. Maybe there is dirt on the needle and seat.
If the carb looks dry, you may need a minor choke adjustment. The black choke spring housing has three little screws, which can be loosend and the spring housing is adjusted a small amount to make the choke stay on longer (richer) or less (leaner). I would think the choke spring housing needs to go a little leaner.
Hopefully all you need is a simple choke adjustment. I'm sure you can find a guy doing it on youtube.
Be sure to have a fire extinguisher nearby, since you may have a fuel issue.
Good luck

 

[NJBronk]

Whelp, didn’t want to start a fire in the work parking garage so I got it towed home. Will be taking advantage of the Grundy insurance $250 reimbursement…

I guess I’ll be learning to rebuild a carb…. Should be a fun project with my boys at least.

 

[bax]

Stuck float / dirt in the needle and seat. Easy fix. What carb do you have. It's not your choke. If this happens again hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank it. do not pump the gas pedal. It should start after it gets enough air. If it won't stay running tapping the carb where the needle and seat are located will sometimes work. or just take the carb apart and do a little cleaning / reassembly. Easy as cake. Very nice looking bronco. Did you have it built?

 

[NJBronk]

Stuck float / dirt in the needle and seat. Easy fix. What carb do you have. It's not your choke. If this happens again hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank it. do not pump the gas pedal. It should start after it gets enough air. If it won't stay running tapping the carb where the needle and seat are located will sometimes work. or just take the carb apart and do a little cleaning / reassembly. Easy as cake. Very nice looking bronco. Did you have it built?

Yes, I just ordered a rebuild kit from Holley and will dig into it. No idea when the carb was last gone through. It's a Holley 4 barrel 80457-11 (600 CFM). I noticed for the first time that the vacuum advance tube is hanging there and the port on the carb is plugged... not sure what that's about either.

Thanks, I just got the truck in January. It was "restored" back in 2014, which was primarily a cheap-ish paint job. It's solid from a rust perspective and ran pretty good up until now. I have been working through all the maintenance items and little quirks - shift linkages and bushings, switches/bulbs, etc. Also replaced the nasty chrome mall crawlers, replaced seats, and put in the cage. Long list (and lots of money) already...