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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Dry carburetor

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Discussion Topic: Dry carburetor -- page: 1 2

jyakel

03-20-2026 @ 2:22 PM

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Gentlemen,
A few forum threads ago I asked for help troubleshoot the problem, 'my car will not start and I think it is electrical...' Many good club member offered me good advice of what to check 1st, 2nd, 3rd regarding the electrical issues. Thank you. However, the issue was not electrical.

As they say, 'If you think it is electrical, it is probably fuel...and if you think it is fuel, it is probably electrical.' Well my problem is fuel, specifically a dry carburetor. With my wife at the controls, I had her pump the accelerator several times while I was watching to see if the accelerator pump (power piston) would pump any gas into the throat of my stock Holley 94 carburetor. Nope, no gas squirt at all.

So with the aid of a squeeze bottle full of gas I 'primed' the carb. Pam closed the choke, hit the starter and the car started at once...then died. A second prime, choke, and start and it started and ran fine.

After shutting the car off, I asked Pam to push the accelerator to the floor and back a few times to see if the accelerator pump would now pump some gas into the carburetor. Yes, it did, but very anemically. Not a strong stream at all.

So, is it time for a carburetor rebuild? If so, who in our club is the authority on rebuilding a stock Holley 94 carburetor?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. And thank you in advance,
John

pauls39coupe

03-20-2026 @ 6:11 PM

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Was the car setting for several weeks before you tried to start it? The gas can evaporate over time leaving the bowl empty, or you may have a leaking power valve which would allow the gas to leak out of the bowl. When you said primed I assumed you mean you filled the bowl through the vent tube not just dumping gas down the middle of the carb. Fill the bowl then see how much of a squirt you get from the accelerator pump.
I would try putting the accelerator pump link in a different hole ( it is in the middle now) to see if that would increase the shot of gas you are looking for. If that doesn't work the pump leather (plastic) may be worn out or the pump circuit maybe plugged.
Probably time for a rebuild. Call Charlie Price at Vintage Speed, or watch his YouTube videos for DIY information.

This message was edited by pauls39coupe on 3-20-26 @ 6:16 PM

40 Coupe

03-21-2026 @ 5:36 AM

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Charlie Schwindler is the 94 rebuilder. He is in Orchard Park NY

40cpe

03-21-2026 @ 5:46 AM

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Two short run periods might not be enough to get the gas from the tank to the carb, or the fuel pump could be faulty. Try a little more run time to see if you can get gas to the carb.

jyakel

03-21-2026 @ 6:39 AM

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Hey thanks Paul 39, and 40 coupe, and 40 cue,

I greatly appreciate your responses. Let me expand my story and draw on your expertise.

So once running the car runs fine, starts fine too. It is only the initial start that is hard. I only drive my car to church on Sundays that are nice days. If it is a rainy Sunday I take the Prius. So that means that sometimes my '50 Ford will sit for 2 weeks with no start. When I attempt to start it after two weeks of sitting it needs a shot of ether to get it to start. My other classic Ford, a 1949 F-3 pickup, stake bed, will sit for two weeks too. But after a few pumps of the accelerator, a little choke, it will pop right off. No problem. Same 8BA flathead with a Holley 94 carb. Both are pretty much stock. The 1949 F-3 is 12V. Other than that, it is stock.

I suspect, before my ownership of my '50 Ford, that maybe the carb was rebuilt, maybe with poor quality Chinese parts (just my guess).

Also, I sort of remember a valve or something at the bottom of a Holley 94 that can be adjusted opened or closed? Maybe for high altitude cars?? I may be way off on this. But if that valve (if said valve even exists) is open, then I suspect that could be a reason why my carb is always dry? Yes? Thoughts?

And as stated in my initial post, the accelerator pump will not squirt any gas after sitting for two weeks. Then after running for a while, it will squirt some gas, but the squirt is weak at best, not a strong stream of gas at all.

To Paul 39: I did email Charlie Price as per your good advice. I also heard he is very hard to get a hold of via email or phone calls. And to answer your question, no I did not put gas down the vent tube and fill the bowl like I should have. I just shot some gas down the throat of the carb and had Pam try to start it, which it did start.

To 40 Coupe & 40 Cpe: I can contact Charlie Schwindler. Thanks for your referral and good advice

John
PS: Here is my 1949 F-3. Starts and runs fine. No carb issues at all...

pauls39coupe

03-21-2026 @ 7:34 AM

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Try filling the carb through the vent before starting, it is probably going dry while sitting.
The power valve is located in the bottom of the bowl, it is not adjustable. It allows extra gas to enter the enrichment circuit, activated by manifold vacuum drawing on a diaphragm. The diaphragm can leak, allowing raw gas to drain from the carb bowl through the vacuum port into the manifold and down into the engine, not a good event. Some power valves sold are made for Holly 4 barrels, they have a ridge on the base that will not seal to a Holly 94 and will leak. Perhaps the previous owner installed one from a kit not knowing of this problem.
Now when you start the engine you will have to crank it longer than normal to refill the carb bowl, at the same time you are running the pistons up and down on cylinder walls that are washed free of oil by the gas that leaked into the engine. Bad news!
Sorry about being a bit long winded but it sounds like it is time for a rebuild. Charlie Schwindler or Charlie Price can handle the job.

jyakel

03-22-2026 @ 12:38 PM

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Hi Pauls39coupe,
Okay, I talked to Charlie Price via email. He got back to me promptly but said he no longer rebuilds Holley 94s but he has the parts if I need them. I enjoyed looking at his Speed Shop website. Wow, he does amazing things with flathead V8s and more.

So, how do I get in contact with club member Charlie Schwindler? Sorry to be such a pain but I have never done this before.

Thanks for your help Paul,
John

03-22-2026 @ 7:15 PM

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Charlie Schwendler
5845 Cole Rd, Orchard Park, NY, 14127
(716) 662-9159
cas5845@yahoo.com

Kens 36

03-23-2026 @ 8:53 AM

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Charlie S is your guy! He will do it right. If you suspect your fuel pump, he can rebuild it also.

Ken

kubes40

03-23-2026 @ 11:03 AM

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Charlie Schwendler for sure!

Mike "Kube" Kubarth

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