Float valves, How bad are they?

K

Kevin in NJ

Well-known member
You know I read a lot about people replacing the valves in their carbs during a rebuild.

My question is, how bad are the original Zenith valves?

Should they just be replaced with something new?

Of course I do not say this so much off the hip. I have a pile of original valves so I took a few apart. They looked fine. You have a metal to metal shut off that seemed to work fine for a long time back in the day.
Why should they work less today?

I know everyone just replaces them today, but do they really need to replace them? Like the points should they only be replaced when they fail?

I also read about the new stuff failing too, so are you really better off?


Now let me add, I would like to hear from extensive experience people. If you have had one car and a valve went bad that is not much of a data point.
If you have had a bad valve did you take it apart to see what was bad?

Thanks,

Kevin
 
There has been many times I have installed a new one & it leaked by. This includes all types made, I think ?.. Have gone back to my old supply, taken out of used 40 years ago or more, put the in a can of carb. cleaner for a hour or two & bingo, works fine.. Picture shows one I think is old and has # on it, never seen that before..
 

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In 1992 my original valve lost 10 gallons of gas over the winter. I saw no easy way to get it apart, but I pushed toothpaste into it and spun it on my lathe or drill press. It's been perfect ever since. I plan to only use original valves in all my carbs.
 
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