I bought a 61 volvo pv544 that had been setting for a long time.It wasn't stored with care.It has the stock B18 with stock dual SU carbs.I have run SU carbs on vintage harleys in the past so somewhat familiar with them.I disassembled them and gave them a good cleaning.There was silt inside the float bowls.I cleaned the float valve and the floats don't look to be damaged.When I try to start the car gas pours out of the overflow on the float bowl.Engine only runs 45 seconds at a time and throttle doesn't really change the rpm.Any and all help appreciated as I'm stumped.
Sinking floats is a well trodden path with su's. Most British car vendors sell a modern float kit.
I just had to install a set in an e-type last month. The car was fine until we went to deliver it and then one sunk. Ordered the kit and by the time it had arrived a second had sunk.
We see this all the time
I have run into that before on my Z. The front one would shoot gas like the belaggio fountains after sitting so long. I cleaned the stick float several times and when it still did it, i filled the breather vent with wd40 until it was just about overflowing. It sat overnight and the float never got stuck again.
Afterwards I replaced that top cover gasket and it was all good. Maybe just coincidence but it never came back.
For me, the floats always float. But, the needle/seat gets gunked up. I switched to Viton tipped needles and the flood went away and didn't come back.
