Fuel shooting out the top of two vertical ports on the carburator.
Asked by 1969Tbird Nov 12, 2012 at 02:11 PM about the 1969 Ford Thunderbird
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
When i try to start the 1969 Ford Thunderbird, with the 429 engine, as the engine turns, fuel looks like a fountain pulsating out the top of the carburator. Should it be doing this? I've never seen anything like this? The car had been sitting for about 30 years in a garage. We pulled the spark plugs and put a little mystic oil in them and let it sit for two days. Then we turned the motor by hand and it moved pretty freely. We hooked a battery up and turned it with the starter. Then we added some dry gas and about 9 gallons of fresh fuel. We replaced the fuel filter, sending unit, fuel pump, cleaned up the spark plugs and replaced the plug and condensor wires. Everything seems to be working correctly. When we spray starting fluid into the carb, it wants to start. Now when we turn the motor we have the fuel fountain that looks like pulsating cobras out the top of the carb? Did we do something wrong, or is this normal?
8 Answers
your carb will need a strip down and clean replacing the shut off valves as this is more than likely the problem as they become sticky and fail to function properly and then the floats do not operate properly and you end up with a possable ignition point regards j.s autos
Thanks John! That is what i thought the answer was going to be. I've ordered a rebuild kit for the carb and intend to do just that! Not sure if i will have to purchase the shut-off valves or if they will be included in the rebuild kit. Have a great day!
a good quality kit will have all the parts required for an overhaul within it send us a photo of the beastie when you can as i love old yank iron j.s autos
Thank you for your insight. You seem to be very knowledgable, any suggestions as to where to buy the rebuild kit?
I agree with John. It sounds to me like the floats are staying open and not closing down like they should. Rebuild the carb and all should be fine.
im uk so i would go to the net for a kit from probably webber or holly stockist over here try hitting the net for your nearest stockest
MrBlueOval answered 11 years ago
I'm surprised anything at all moved on that carb after 30 years. Gasoline turns to molasses after about 6 months. Take it off the car and soak it in fresh gasoline for about 24 hours before trying to rebuild it. It will save you a bunch of headaches. Try Mac's Antique auto parts on the net for the rebuild kit. They specialize in old Fords and should have the kit if it's a factory Ford carb. The carb should have a metal tag on the top of it somewhere. You'll probably need that number from it to get the correct kit. It should be an Autolite/Motorcraft 4100 4 bbl on that 429, but might have been changed over the years to a Holley 4150, 3310 or maybe something else. That tag will tell you exactly what it is for the rebuild kit.. Good luck, Kenny/MrBlueOval.
