carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

[csjafi]

95 5.0 OMC/VP with 2brl Holley

Ok, I may have screwed up, I was replacing my fuel line and the fuel inlet nut does not was to tighten all the way, boy I hope I didn?t strip it. Any advice on my next step or what direction would be appreciated.
I am going to check it out again today after work, I do know that it screws on more than ? of the way with a little left. What about this idea: there is that small thin gasket/ring on the nut, what about getting another one (or 2) to close that gap that is left and tighten it up?
If I really chewed up the inside thread, can it be re-threaded with Helicoil?

Thanks!

 

[jtmarten]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

Fuel lines are not a place you want to MacGyver things. They tend to go BOOM.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

I sure as hell wouldn't try stacking o-rings to close the gap. If this isa hard-line, sometimes they can be difficult to get the correct angle in order to avoid cross-threading the fittings. I would back it out and inspect the threads for damage. If there's any damage, just repplace the brass fittings with new ones if you're able to.

 

[shotgundexter]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

If you have to do this again, one way to start the thread when its difficult to line up is to turn it counterclock wise until you feel it fall off the thread, then carefully go back clockwise-- and if it binds up at all stop. If you did strip something, that line nut is made to strip before your carburator so you should be able to replace that fuel line.

 

[dakine]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

If you did strip something, that line nut is made to strip before your carburator so you should be able to replace that fuel line.

Not so.
The nut is brass or steel, the float bowl is zinc die cast.
You wouldn't be the first guy to strip out the inlet thread on a Holly.
If it is a Holly 4412 variant you can get a new float bowl if it is stripped.
Helicoil is very difficult because the thread isn't very deep and it is a blind hole.

 

[shotgundexter]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

the fuel line screws into the larger nut which retains the fuel filter -- i am thinking he is working with rochester, unless i missed that info. The idea is for the line nut to strip first, but with enough force you can strip anything i suppose.

 

[shotgundexter]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

ah i did miss that.. i stand corrected.

 

[csjafi]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

Thanks all for your posts. After taking a mirror to the carb, yup, the threads in the inlet are stripped. I did find a "new" bowl online for about $60, thinking about getting it with a new nut and gasket. I called a shop and they quoted me to rebuild and put the new bowl on. $70kit, $300 labor, ouch!
Heck I saw a new 2300 (300cfm) on eBay for $380. I am debating whether to try to swap out bowls myself, a friend at work seems to think its not hard and thinks you will not have to mess with the float and springs that they will still be attached to carb after the 4 bolts removed, after looking at the manual I am thinking he is wrong, the float and spring is inside the bowl and it would need to be removed and put into the new one. I suppose I could give it a try, with his help, and if we can?t do it, just break out the credit card.
Also, if I tell the shop to just swap them it may be considerably cheaper than the whole rebuild.

 

[dakine]

Re: carb fuel inlet nut? did I screw up?

The bowl is held on with four screws.
That isn't tough.
The float assy and float level adjuster have to be put on the new bowl.
That isn't tough.
The float level must be set once you get the bowl assy together.
That isn't tough either but screw it up and you can do some damage.

I could do this job in about 30 minutes so I don't know what the big charge is about.