Need Help! Float Height Adjustment!

[Lotsokids]

I did a search and did not find clear instruction on where to measure your floats. As stated earlier, the illustration in the manual is garbage. I cannot measure the fuel level using the clear drain tube method as I have destroyed my [stuck] #4 drain screw and part of the flange around it. I rounded out the screw, then dulled my drill bit attempting to drill it out. Also, my screw extractor is broken. The nearest hardware store is 45 minutes away. I plan on just using JB weld on it since it's not leaking, and forget about it. Here's the aftermath of using the primitive, but usually effective hammer and punch method.



ANYWAY, someone please tell me the proper location to measure the float height to .84 - .91 (22mm). The second picture below shows the lower flange. Can I safely assume you do not use this to measure your float height? Thanks in advance!

[andyb]

From the gasket surface to the farthest point away (A).  The manual is just a suggestion, you'll possibly need to tweak up or down depending on how it rides.  Remember to do things at an angle so that the little pin in the float needle isn't compressed when you measure (or see how much difference it makes between fully out and fully in, and just subtract it from the given spec).

[Lotsokids]

From the gasket surface to the farthest point away (A).

Please define gasket surface. Do I put the gasket in and measure from that? Or is it from the upper flange (exactly as dimension "A" in the picture)?

There's actually 3 places I can measure on the carb (lower) side of dimension "A."

[Travis398]

Please define gasket surface. Do I put the gasket in and measure from that?

the surface the gasket rests on, you remove the gasket before measuring.

[Travis398]

Or is it from the upper flange

[Lotsokids]

Got it. Thanks guys. Can we agree on this final measurement?

[carsick]

Picture says a thousand words indeed! Nice job.

[Travis398]

That looks good, but don't forget Andy's words of wisdom.

Remember to do things at an angle so that the little pin in the float needle isn't compressed when you measure

[Lotsokids]

That looks good, but don't forget Andy's words of wisdom.

Remember to do things at an angle so that the little pin in the float needle isn't compressed when you measure

Yes. Plus for those using a steel 6-inch rule like I did, 7/8 inch is .875.

[Flying Scotsman]

6" steel rule.Not very accurate but better than nothing.Both my bikes are at .880" .If I went to .900" I would have less fuel in the bowl so I would be leaning out my air fuel mix right ?.860" would be richer and .900" would be leaner right ?
I measure the float on both sides so there both at .880" saw a couple that were .040" diferent from one side to the other.

[andyb]

The larger you make that dimension as illustrated (nicely!) in the picture, the less fuel will be in the carb during normal conditions.  The opposite is also true.

The uneven situation you saw is a sign that they're simply bent a bit.  Which is why they periodically need checked, they bend stupid easy from the dumbest things. 

Remind me to steal that picture and stick it in the big post of carb pictures eventually, when I get back to futzing with that.  Really nicely done, sir.

[rktmanfj]

That looks good, but don't forget Andy's words of wisdom.

Remember to do things at an angle so that the little pin in the float needle isn't compressed when you measure

I've always wondered... is there any reason that the max length of that plunger could not just be factored onto the dimension?  Seems like this would be a lot easier to do if you could.  Mind you, I've never had to do it, just read about it numerous times over the years.

Randy T
Indy

[Travis398]

Perhaps it has something to do with the spring (in the needle) getting weaker with age, and no longer being able to hold the float up while checking the adjustment.

[billwest]

Old post, I know, but I searched for info on float heights.
I always thought point "B" was the correct one.

[Pat Conlon]

You are correct Bill.

We have an updated discussion saved over in the Carb Files: http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=9560.0