flooded intake, '37 Terraplane

Hudsonrules

Took the carburator off my '37 Teeraplane as it was leaking badly and the engine would not start. I noticed that there is raw gas just sitting in the intake manifold due to the flooding. Question, how best to remove the gas, or just crank the engine over a few times and change the oil. Will the gas drain into the cylinders? May sound like a dumb question and i mam no mechanic, just learn as I go along. My parenbts would not let me take auto shop in highschool and so I have had to learn by reading books, asking questions and trial and error. Thanks again in advance. Arnie M.

Jon B

Arnie, Hudson considered this problem and came up with an answer 70 years ago. On the underside of your intake manifold there should be a one-way brass check valve with a brass or steel drain line coming out of it. The valve may have become dirty through the years or someone may have completely removed it and replaced it with a bolt. Remove the valve or the bolt and the gas should drain out!

Unknown

I would'nt worry none about it. If it is real excessive you could soak most of it up with a cloth. Cranking it over will draw the rest thru the engine and out the exhaust. No need to change oil. Just undo the fuel line before the fuel pump while clearing it. What little is left will enter and burn when you start the engine. BUD

[Deleted User]

Its funny they only used that check valve on the under side of the intake for a couple years it might not have worked as great as they thought but i think they had some carb flooding problems that year and improved the carb in later years and got rid of it the next year?

[Deleted User]

Hudsonrules wrote:

Took the carburator off my '37 Teeraplane as it was leaking badly and the engine would not start. I noticed that there is raw gas just sitting in the intake manifold due to the flooding. Question, how best to remove the gas, or just crank the engine over a few times and change the oil. Will the gas drain into the cylinders? May sound like a dumb question and i mam no mechanic, just learn as I go along. My parenbts would not let me take auto shop in highschool and so I have had to learn by reading books, asking questions and trial and error. Thanks again in advance. Arnie M.

With the carb off just let it set for a few days and today's gas dries right up. That is the reason cars setting for a few days gas turns to varnish. All new cars have sealed fuel systems to correct this problem. Don't try to seal your system for you will suck the tank together. As far as flooding your carb will only take 3 pounds pressure so make sure that is what you are getting. If it has the old style needle and seat then you must replace it with the new style, neoprene. Also if you let your car set for weeks add STA-BIL to your tank. Walt.