Carb Welsh Plug is leaking after rebuild

Hello,

I just had my Holley 4160 Carb Rebuilt this week. The rebuilder used Ultra Sonic on the small parts and Carb Dip on the large Center section. I just installed the carb and now the Welsh Plug on the Primary Bowl is leaking. This carb has the internal float adjustment and a search of this site shows me that the leaking plug is called a Welsh Plug. I also read that they are king of soft and can be once again expanded if pushed around. I also just learned that this is common after a rebuild. So far the secondary is not leaking, but I turned off the boat pretty dang fast when I saw the gas spray.

Folks on the site have outline three ways to fix this leak.

#1) Tap the plug with a Wooden Dowel Pin to make the metal spread and reseal the leak.

#2) Apply JB weld to the top of the welsh plug.

#3) Buy new bowls from Holley.

I am trying to get the boat ready with the White Lake Mini this weekend.

I am going back to the garage to try the wooded dowel deal, but I wanted to post this and see if any other ideas appear before I remove the carb. The JB Weld seem dangerous to me, but may be a hold over until I can purchase new bowls after the White Lake Event.

This site is so helpful.

Thanks,

Donald

JB weld is fuel proof and works well with gas. If you do it CLEAN the surface off with acetone or brake cleaner. Use the standard JB not the quick set & put it on with a tooth pick.
Trying to spread the plug to make it seal maybe opening a can of worms.

Pete,

My Carb guy is closed today. I just did the reinstall and start-up and found the leak today. I gave him a call, but his shop is closed today or closed by the time that I got it all running. I pulled the carb and dropped it off at his shop and then picked it up. The rebuilder had no way to test it since I handled it this way.

The Carb was not leaking when I took it in for a rebuild. I believed that my power valve needed a replacement. Overall the carb needed a good cleaning. I think the carb dip loosened the plug or the dirt keep it from leaking. I keep putting the rebuild off each year for the last five years, and I finally pulled the carb off last fall. Now it is time to get it ready for the White Lake Mini.

I tried punching the plug and it did take the leak from two stream sprays to a smaller seep. However, it still needed to be addressed. Based off of another thread and Pete's input, I just applied some Devcon two part epoxy. If this does not work I will go back with the slow set JB Weld. Now I am wondering if the Devcon can handle the gas. They both (JB and Devcon) are epoxy.

I have to travel this week so I really need to get this taken care of this weekend to be ready for White Lake next weekend.

Thanks for all of the help. I will update the results.

Donald

Add me to the list of folks who has fix this problem with JB Weld and had it last for years.

Someone taught me years ago to seal welch plugs with nail polish. You paint the opening with it then insert the plug and tap to expand it. Gasoline won't dissolve it. You may be able to seal over it after its been installed as well. It wouldn't cost much to try it, unless your wife catches you using hers.

Devcon is like saying Ford which 5 minute epoxy do you have? (P/N)

Donald,
I'd leave the Devcon in there. Both the Devcon and JB use the same base epoxy resin so both have equal resistance to gas. The biggest issue with JB is the resin/hardener was selected to be a sloppy homeowner mix. The mix ratio can be sloppy and the epoxy will still work although strength is sacrificed. If you get epoxy from the hardware store, your best selections are the double syringe with the mixing nozzle.

There's a good chance the Devcon will be fine. Tomorrow morning I'll look up the material data in our library at work. I'll post something in the AM. The JB fast cure will work just as good BUT it's FAST cure. Very,very little working time, like a minute not much more.

I'd like to go to White Lake but still don't know if I can make it. All this rain isn't helping my argument. I'll know by Tuesday PM.

Donald,
   Devcon 20845 5min epoxy resistance to unleaded gas excellent resistance to ethanol poor. Our adhesives and sealants chemical engineer thinks Prematex gasket sealer is the way to go or Loctite.
I have personal experience with JB Weld and it’s always worked .
If you made sure the surface is clean with no gas residue I’d go with the Devcon keep an eye on it .If it does leak it will seep slowly. – I’d bet it will be OK

    If you PM me a fax # I'll send you the Technical data sheet.

Donald -

You'll have quite a few wrench-turners there. I got my crazy spark plug issue diagnosed and spark plugs swapped out in no time last year. She'll be purring like a kitten again.........

Superglue! let it sit 24 hours then zoom!