Hi Guys,

Could sombody please explain to a frustrated idiot (assume said idiot has mental capacity of a 5 year old) how to correctly set the fuel float level in a 1963 Carter BBS? This should be a really simple operation but I have run out of patience.

I have done this to the carb a few times using what I can only now assume is the incorrect interpretation of what the FSM states (inverting the carb and checking the float level from the centre of the float to the rim of the fuel bowl).
I can't get my head around what the BBS Service manual means by setting the level with the float pin retainer removed (upside down/right way up/do it with fuel in the bowl/do it dry etc).

I'm keen for this to be the last time I have to pull the carb apart, and I'm now questioning the stuff that I have done to it.

Thanks a lot guys,
60Ply

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1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door sedan
Stock 60 225
Push button 3 speed Torqueflite
Right Hooker

Maybe ANOTHER VIEW would help? That's from a different year/application, but the photos aren't bad.

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"When you find a big kettle of crazy, it's best not to stir it." - Pointy-haired Boss

1964 Valiant V200, 225/Pushbutton 904
BBD, CAI, HEI, LBP, AC, AM/FM/USB, EIEIO

Thanks for the link. Still not sure why the retainer must be removed but it achieves essentially the same thing. I'll go check and then can move on.

Thanks a lot,
60 Ply

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1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door sedan
Stock 60 225
Push button 3 speed Torqueflite
Right Hooker

Well looks a little like I may have been a little out with my float height, around 1/8 too low. Ooops.

Carb back on car, got some power back but now a little rough running under acceleration, and punching the throttle can kill the engine completely. The latter points at the accelerator pump, which is in good condition but set up on the middle hole on the linkage. I wouldn't have thought that a smaller pump shot would allow the engine to die completely (I expected a stumble rather than stone cold death) but to be honest, I do have to tune idle mixture, speed and the choke all over again so I'll know more when I get that done tomorrow. Way too dark to do anything meaningful now.

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1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door sedan
Stock 60 225
Push button 3 speed Torqueflite
Right Hooker

I've always set the float with the carb inverted and the float pin retainer installed. In fact, that's where I apply finger pressure to make sure the float pin is seated fully where it'll be held by gravity once the carb's back rightside up. Can't imagine why one would remove the retainer.

What kind of shape is your vacuum advance in?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

I think the vacuum can is fine, but it is on the list of things to check. I recall sucking on the tube and hearing the revs increase when I first installed it, and it has a noticeable 'kick' when you crack the throttle. I suppose the diaphragm could be punctured allowing a vacuum leak, but still advancing the ignition I guess. I'll see how it goes with the vacuum line plugged later today.

Once I've got the carb sorted to a certain extent, I'll move on to tweaking the advance. WOT response is poor at the moment, it seems to make sense to sort that out before playing with the vacuum advance.

I'll know a bit more about what's going on when I get to work on the car a little bit later.

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1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door sedan
Stock 60 225
Push button 3 speed Torqueflite
Right Hooker

Well I'm out of ideas.

Done a valve lash just incase and still no clue.

Car runs ok but somthing still doesn't feel right. Done a valve lash, timing at 12 BTDC, Idles at around 600RPM hot.

At idle, I only get around 15" vacuum in the manifold. When I pull the vacuum gauge (hooked to a hole on rearmost intake runner) the engine revs increase (I guess to around 8/900). With my last carb, pulling the hose would kill it dead.

Other observations over the past few months suggest that I can advance the ignition to the point where it runs rough, but I never seem to detect any pinging.

Plugs are a light tan colour, maybe slightly rich but nothing serious, but then I haven't done a lot of driving on the new carb.


I'm kind of out of ideas really. I'd expect a higher vacuum at idle.

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1960 Plymouth Belvedere 4 door sedan
Stock 60 225
Push button 3 speed Torqueflite
Right Hooker

One thing about the carbs BBS, 2280 Holley, BBD's......When installing the fuel line, if you turn the fitting on the carb you change the float setting. I mark mine with a permanent felt tip marker.


I've never played with the 1bbl Holley's.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick