Float chamber gaskets

[UKPhilTR7]

I have a new set of float chamber gaskets that I will hopefully be fitting tonight.

I was just thinking by fitting there, will it help prevent fuel evaporation and therefore help with car starting?

[Hasbeen]

Hi Phil.

I'm afraid that is wishful thinking, if as I suspect you have SU carbs. They have an overflow pipe, [going to the charcoal canister in emission fitted cars], which is completely open to the air. Evaporation will not be effected.

The right answer is DRIVE YOUR CAR MORE, which will overcame any problem with dry carbs. Alternately, fit an electric pump. This is not my favoured option with our cars, as neither SUs or ZS carbs like the higher pressure most of them operate at.

I have fitted a New Zealand built electric pump, similar to the old SU pump, & have not had many problems, but I may be just lucky of course. It operates at 2 to 3 PSI.

Incidentally, I did not have float bowl gaskets when I sorted my SUs, so mine don't have them. I have never bothered to fit them, as the overflow pipe is only a little above that level. They seemed rather superfluous to me, with that canister very carefully installed in the bin.

Incidentally, just check there is fuel flowing from the fuel pipe in the engine bay by the pump, with the hose removed. It should syphon to there for ever, once flow is established. If it is not, I would look for a leak in the hoses back at the tank.

Hasbeen

[UKPhilTR7]

Thank you for the reply Hasbeen.

It was a nice thought, but if it is not to be lol. She starts good and since putting the new starter relay, she starts even better. I just wondered if it would help. I replaced them today and after scraping the old one off it went on all good. All replaced in an evening must be good.