my engine (1600 pinto) stalls when hot, and then wont restart. also sooty smoke from the exhaust.

mark allanson a while ago said these were signs of a rich mix. anyone agree?

its got a mechanical fuel pump with no fuel return and no vapour seperater. is it possible that this is the cause of the problem, maybe forcing too much fuel in? its got a minimal air filter which should help even up the mix again.

or is it maybe just the carbs need setting up? unlikely i think, cos it ran fine in the donor a year or two ago.

i keep weighing up the possibility of adding the vapour seperator and return, since it was present in the donor, but the ball ache of adding another full length of fuel pipe puts me off.

does anyone have any thoughts on the easiest way of solving this little hiccup?!

help much appreciated.

Have you checked the float chamber/needle valve to see if the carb is flooding.

Deffo sounds like overfuelling. The fuel return is kinda important The mechanical pump will be pumping constantly so will force more fuel in than needed if it cant go back to the tank....

many people say that they have ditched the return with no ill effects though, thats what confuses me...

whats the crack with the needle and float chamber? i wouldnt really know how to check them! in an ideal world, would the float be able to stop excessive fuel getting in if it was being forced by the pump?

I tried without a fuel return originally and had to fit one because of the symptoms you are describing. I piped it from the front to back with copper brake pipe then realised I could have fitted it near the tank and saved all the pipe and hassle of routing it.

Joel,
I suspect you need a carb. repair kit. Sounds like the needle valve is worn. My 32/36 has no return, the pipe has a bolt jubilee clipped in! No ill effects yet. Saying that, I may fit a full length pipe this winter and see if the economy improves.

Marcus

pete, were/are you using an electric pump? cos mines at the front! :p would be good if mine was at the back.

marcus, carb repair kits arent my thing, if it comes to that i'll ditch the full engine!

What carb are you using?

standard one JGG, as it came from henry.