Series 1 Solex leaking

[Nanoose]

I've just rebuilt my carb and noticed that I still have a gas leak - probably a drop every couple of seconds with the electric pump on. The rebuild fixed most of the major leaks but this is bugging me. The drip is coming from where the spindle exits the body of the carb, on the throttle side. I gave everything a good clean and made sure that everything is tight (but not excessively so). There's no gasket where it exits the body and I'm stumped on the what's causing the drip and how best to stop it. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

[TerryS]

When you say 'spindle', are you refering to the throttle shaft itself? It may need bushing.

[Nanoose]

Yep. The brass (bronze?) shaft that the butterfly goes through. I can't tell if it has a bushing or not but figured it probably did. I've sent an e-mail to a shop in town to see of they could do the work.

[Greg S]

Leaking? If it's running, the air would be sucking in at the spindle so you wouldn't see a "leak". If the spindle needed a bush, you would be able to move it around in the hole. The bush would be to make it leak less air. If you have a liquid leak out of the throttle shaft, you have an entirely different issue. If the engine is shut off and the electric pump is on, then your float needle isn't seating and you have an overflow from your float bowl dripping onto the throttle plate and running along the spindle; you should be able to see this by looking down the throat of the carb with a light (not a match or lighter). If the motor is running, it must be something really serious because it's leaking the wrong way.

Greg S

[Nanoose]

Thanks Greg, I was wondering about that. I couldn't figure out how/why it would be leaking there. A buddy mine is coming over in the next few days (he's a mechanic), I'll pass on your thoughts and see if he can help me diagnose it.

Also - I saw a 1958 109 in Oak Bay for sale. If you're looking, let me know and I'll send you a photo.

Dave