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Holley float level doesn't seem to change

Posted By: 1968RR

Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 01:14 AM

I recently replaced the secondary bowl on my Holley 850 DP, and everything was going smoothly until I had everything back together and attempted to set the float level. The gas level seemed to be near the top of the sight window, and turning the adjusting nut seemed to have no effect. I took the bowl off to make sure that turning the adjusting nut would raise/lower the needle and seat, and that raising/lowering the needle and seat would raise/lower the float, and everything seemed OK. But when I put the bowl back on and fired up the engine, I had the same issue.
Any ideas what the issue might be? Bad needle and seat, maybe?
Thanks for any help, and happy new year.
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 02:16 AM

I had a bad issue this Summer and it turned out my floats were bad. I run alcohol but then again most pump gas has alcohol in it now. Mine lasted 3 years. Changed out the floats and all is well.
Posted By: 1968RR

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 03:03 AM

Originally Posted By pittsburghracer
I had a bad issue this Summer and it turned out my floats were bad. I run alcohol but then again most pump gas has alcohol in it now. Mine lasted 3 years. Changed out the floats and all is well.

That's possible. The old bowl had a sight plug, instead of a sight window, and I haven't checked the float level in a while. I'll try installing a new float and see if that helps.
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 03:14 AM

what was wrong with the old float bowl? any chance of subbing it back in for a quick test?
Posted By: madscientist

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 05:12 AM

Originally Posted By 1968RR
I recently replaced the secondary bowl on my Holley 850 DP, and everything was going smoothly until I had everything back together and attempted to set the float level. The gas level seemed to be near the top of the sight window, and turning the adjusting nut seemed to have no effect. I took the bowl off to make sure that turning the adjusting nut would raise/lower the needle and seat, and that raising/lowering the needle and seat would raise/lower the float, and everything seemed OK. But when I put the bowl back on and fired up the engine, I had the same issue.
Any ideas what the issue might be? Bad needle and seat, maybe?
Thanks for any help, and happy new year.



If it's the secondary side it moves very little fuel while running.

Lower the float level a turn and a half down. Pull a bottom screw and drain off fuel until,it's below the window. Put the screw back in and start the engine. Hopefully the level,is low enough so you can raise it up and sneak up on it.
Posted By: 1968RR

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 06:25 AM

Originally Posted By RapidRobert
what was wrong with the old float bowl? any chance of subbing it back in for a quick test?

A few years back the threads for the fuel line got stripped on the primary bowl, so I replaced it with a new aluminum bowl. The sight plug recently started to weep on the secondary and I couldn't get it to stop so I decided to replace the original zinc with an aluminum bowl so that it matched the front. Admittedly, there could be something I'm missing, but I don't think that the bowl is the issue. It's worth a shot, though...
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 02:53 PM

^^^ agreed, tho the part change that preceded the onset is a first suspect but yes the needle/seat is a likely candidate (& cheap to replace). As said I would drain it/lower the float way down & see how high it fills up. It is somewhat common for needle/seats to flood for a bit when that area has been opened up (not sure why), maybe dirt broken loose when the fuel rushes forward to take up the empty volume, maybe the needle clocking changes & it has worn a slightly less than perfect circumferential seal. Just thinking out loud. Holler how it turns out
Posted By: 62maxwgn

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 05:47 PM

If there are no bowl leaks and needle/seat are good along with the float there is no reason why you can't adjust fuel level !
Posted By: DAYCLONA

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/01/18 07:59 PM

Originally Posted By 1968RR
Originally Posted By RapidRobert
what was wrong with the old float bowl? any chance of subbing it back in for a quick test?

A few years back the threads for the fuel line got stripped on the primary bowl, so I replaced it with a new aluminum bowl. The sight plug recently started to weep on the secondary and I couldn't get it to stop so I decided to replace the original zinc with an aluminum bowl so that it matched the front. Admittedly, there could be something I'm missing, but I don't think that the bowl is the issue. It's worth a shot, though...




Are you transferring the same old float into the new bowl?, if so?, is it a black plastic?... If so, replace the float with a brass equivalent, as the black plastic ones absorb fuel, become weighted, thus telling the needle seat to continue delivering fuel, resulting in bowl flooding or run over being pulled into the secondarys causing flooding ragged idle conditions...DAMHIK
Posted By: 1968RR

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/04/18 02:58 AM

Pittsburghracer had it right: the culprit was a bad float (not the black plastic kind, but the old-style brass type). As I said, I haven't checked the float level in years and the old bowl had a sight plug, rather than a sight window, so who knows how long the float's been bad.
Thanks for the help! up
Posted By: fury4speed

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/04/18 03:22 AM

Maybe to much fuel pressure and the floats can't handle the pressure and the floats cant maintain the fuel level that's if the floats are good as was mentioned as it could be a bad float.
Posted By: pittsburghracer

Re: Holley float level doesn't seem to change - 01/04/18 03:37 AM

Originally Posted By 1968RR
Pittsburghracer had it right: the culprit was a bad float (not the black plastic kind, but the old-style brass type). As I said, I haven't checked the float level in years and the old bowl had a sight plug, rather than a sight window, so who knows how long the float's been bad.
Thanks for the help! up



Glad I could help. I know I chased my tail for awhile finding it to be the issue with my car
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