Drain plug

[WHMCJM@SBCGLOBAL.NET]

Can the carb drain plug be removed w/o draining the gas tank? I want to try to fix the leak at the plug with a minimum loss of gas. I can live with the loss after i have closed the gas valve but i don't want a mess on my hands.

 

[Patrick L.]

Yes.

 

[Oldgearz]

With your gas line shut off and with a working float valve, only a little gas will come out at first when the drain plug is removed.

 

[old ugly]

shut off your main line from the tank, if it does not seal completely the line may drip a bit. put a pan under the car.

you are going to loose the gas in the float bowl down to the level of the compensator jet. maybe 1/2 a cup, so have a can ready to catch it.

that plug has a gasket / fiber washer around it.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Close the gas tank shutoff valve. Disconnect the gas line at the carburetor, rotate it up and plug it.

 

[bavArian]

Alternatively you can just cut 1 or 2 inches from the middle of the fuel line and insert a short hose. That way you can take off the carb without loosening the fuel line and plug the hose if the shutoff valve isn't sealing 100 %.

 

[old ugly]

for the fuel line shut off i like to install one of these on the engine compartment side. if you are to have that carb on and off lots this makes it easy to stop the gas.
its not unsightly but it is not original. works good

it is easy to install. cut the line slide the nuts and furrels on and tighten it back up. your done.
i haven't had one leak yet.

$7 at home depot
Sioux Chief 1/4 inch Brass Compression Angle Needle Valve with Chrome Plating

 

[ursus]

Typically, these carburetor leaks are initially noted as a drip from the lowest part, the drain plug, and the typical response was to put a wrench to the plug and tighten it up. Since this often had no effect on the leak, the owner then wrenched it even tighter causing a hairline crack in the threaded portion of the casting.

On several occasions I have tried everything to solve a carb leak before discovering the real cause to be that hairline crack in the casting, which is usually impossible to see when the area is soaked with fuel.