Tillotson TC-5E float needle valve

WinnerCougar74 · Tuesday at 2:22 PM

I have a 1974 Chrysler 135hp with two Tillotson RC-5E carbs. The float needle valve is all metal and new parts also look like all metal. No rubber/viton tip. Is this correct? Is there a rubber/viton seal inside the carb body? Just double checking since most float needles have to seal completely.

WinnerCougar74 · Tuesday at 2:27 PM

Last post is not correct, the carbs are TC-5E

Nordin · Tuesday at 10:14 PM

If the needle is all in metal there is a rubber seal in the seat in the carb body.
If the needle has a rubber tip there is no seal in the body.
Check with a flashlight if there is a seal in the carb body or not, someone else (if the engine is new to you) could have put in a wrong needle.

jerryjerry05 · Wednesday at 6:00 AM

If the needle is all metal and no rubber in the seat?? then the carb will leak fuel.
IF?? the seat has the rubber in it, then be careful what cleaners and soaks and additives you use, as the seat can swell shutting off the flow.
If it swells? rinse in soapy water and let air dry. The swelling will go away eventually.

WinnerCougar74 · Thursday at 11:30 AM

I have a metal only inlet needle. But when I look into the seat area I do not see any rubber, I only see metal. So then that means it is not sealing properly, Could this lead to a generally rich mixture and chronic fouling of plugs in a short period of time?

WinnerCougar74 · Thursday at 12:37 PM

Well, my own personal parts bin saved the day again. I have another complete set of carbs and they have inlet seats with rubber tips. I wonder how I can find replacements if these ever fail.

jerryjerry05 · Friday at 4:59 AM

Granger might have needles??
Could this lead to a generally rich mixture and chronic fouling of plugs in a short period of time? Yes. It will allow excess fuel and make it run bad.

WinnerCougar74 · Friday at 7:15 AM

Thanks for the confirmation. It's actually very important.

racerone · Friday at 7:34 AM

Chronic fouling would not be caused by a wee bit of leakage on float needles.----There must be other things to check out.

WinnerCougar74 · Friday at 9:05 AM

I also discovered the main jet was one size too big. 0.0960 when it should be 0.0937

WinnerCougar74 · Saturday at 7:25 PM

Well, the inlet needle with the rubber tip does not fit into my carb. I put it in and it leaked a lot. Wow, I have been waiting for the last 6 years for a cheap little part that turns this motor into a boat anchor. I wonder if this is it. Hmm, How can I make this inlet needle seal? Would a tiny little o-ring put inside the needle seat seal it properly? Who ever heard of a carb that you can't replace the inlet needle seat.

Nordin · Saturday at 11:37 PM

From my experience there are two typs of inlet needles.
One with rubber tip and one without.
If a rubber tip there is a brass seat in the carb body and if no rubber tip there is a rubber or maybe a viton seat in the body.
I would suggest you to talk to Franz Buddenburg at Franz Marine Service.
He will know, he is the Chrysler/Force guru.

jerryjerry05 · 2025-05-11T05:17:02-0600

You have the old parts, I have a bunch of New/old stock needles/jets? Take a couple of pics next to a ruler I might have something that will fit??

racerone · 2025-05-11T05:55:16-0600

Hurry to a shop.-----Boat / small engine / motorcycle / automotive.-----Somebody can find a simple solution I think.

WinnerCougar74 · 2025-05-11T19:35:38-0600

Ok, had the boat out today. Ran it about 3 hours. It's running pretty good now. No plug fouling all day. I think switching to the L82C conventional plugs is the key. I don't plan on running WOT. Plus I used a 1.5mm spacer to keep the plug away from the piston. I'll pull the plugs soon post pics. I did also go down one on the jet from 0.096 to 0.0937. I think I may go to 0.0920 (found a set on PartsVu.com) since now it doesn't want to start if I turn it off and fish a little and start it back up. Otherwise it runs very good now. Thanks for the help. I will try to find a motorcycle or snowmobile shop if I need them.

Tillotson TC-5E float needle valve

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