Holley 1931

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   Forgive the double post. I'm new to this forum and learning my way around. Posted a similar ? in the general chat area.Yesterday I took delivery of a very nice '66 American, 3.3L. It has a Holley 1931 he put on at some point that looks very fresh, but it leaks badly at the float bowl seam. I don't want, or need to do a rebuild. My first choice would be to take off that cover and replace just that gasket. Make sense?
If I can't find a source for just that gasket I'll buy the material and cut one myself. Any reason not to do that?
Thanks. I'm an old VW guy just learning about AMC.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Pathwayrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Mar/03/2012 Location: AZ Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pathwayrev Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Holley 1931 Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 3:01pm
	Forgive the double post. I'm new to this forum and learning my way around. Posted a similar ? in the general chat area. Yesterday I took delivery of a very nice '66 American, 3.3L. It has a Holley 1931 he put on at some point that looks very fresh, but it leaks badly at the float bowl seam. I don't want, or need to do a rebuild. My first choice would be to take off that cover and replace just that gasket. Make sense? If I can't find a source for just that gasket I'll buy the material and cut one myself. Any reason not to do that? Thanks. I'm an old VW guy just learning about AMC.

vinny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jan/05/2012 Location: Calgary Status: Offline Points: 505	Post Options Post Reply Quote vinny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 4:16pm
	Is the float level correct. If its been sitting for a while the float may be stuck to the bottom but you are probably familiar with those possibilities. Your precision cutting would be better than mine given that the mating surfaces are so narrow. To save the gasket as much as possible I usually only turn the screws loose about a turn or two and then give the top a sideways rap to break it free.

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: los angeles Status: Offline Points: 599	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 11:32pm
	if it "leaks badly at the float bowl seam" it means, like vinny said, that the float is stuck (open) and it's flooding. Normally the gas sits inside the casting below the gasket anyway, it's not chock full to the brim in there with gas. Carbs are subtle things... you may not "want" to do a rebuild but you may need to, or at least a clean up and freshen, if it's sat for a long time. Modern gas can't sit for months or years, any more. it goes bad. Do you know how long the car sat without running? Also, if you're new to AMCs, you may not know about the "TSM" -- the factory Technical Service Manual. They are fantastically detailed, it's not a stretch to say you're working in the dark without one. All those Haynes and Motor type manuals, umm, suck, for anything more than "change the points". Might run you $50 - $100, but believe me, worth every dime. Ask any of the AMC/Rambler people here. AMC did great manuals, they're on par with the best of the aftermarket VW stuff ("Make youer Volkswagen Go!" etc) though not as "fun". Great pics, accurate drawings text and specs.
	1963 American 440 hardtop 195.6 OHV, modded T-96 Twin Stick, 3.78 axle

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: los angeles Status: Offline Points: 599	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 11:35pm
	(i shoudl have said "very likely float stuck", there are other possibilities; ut we'll await more details from you for that! :-)
	1963 American 440 hardtop 195.6 OHV, modded T-96 Twin Stick, 3.78 axle

Pathwayrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Mar/03/2012 Location: AZ Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pathwayrev Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/28/2012 at 11:52pm
	Thanks for the help, gentlemen. There are several '66 American TSM's on eBay in the mid-$30's range and one for $25 that includes the supplement (no need here). I'll pick one up tonight. This Holley 1931 has the float bowl cap on the side, not the top. Never seen anything like it. I checked the four screws this afternoon and the top and sides were tight but the bottom one - the one hard to get to - was quite loose. Tomorrow I'll fire it up and see if that was the problem or if I've got more work to do.

KermitDRambler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jul/06/2007 Location: Cincinnati, OH Status: Offline Points: 2276	Post Options Post Reply Quote KermitDRambler Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/29/2012 at 7:19am
	On a Holley 1931, a high float level will not cause a leak at the float bowl seam. The seam is verticle and not horizontal. A leak there means that either the gasket is shot or the cover is warped (or both). The float bowl gasket is not available outside of a rebuild kit so you'll need to cut your own if you don't want to buy a rebuild kit. Once you get the float bowl cover off, you need to check it to make sure it's flat. If it isn't you'll need to fix that. Matt
	1967 American wagon http://www.mattsoldcars.com

carnuck Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Mar/31/2010 Location: Seattle Status: Offline Points: 1459	Post Options Post Reply Quote carnuck Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/29/2012 at 1:29pm
	Won't the Holley performance bowl gaskets work on that?
	Pics http://tinyurl.com/jimsclads

Pathwayrev Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List AMC Apprentice Joined: Mar/03/2012 Location: AZ Status: Offline Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote Pathwayrev Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/30/2012 at 5:25pm
	I tightened down that bottom screw on the float bowl cover and it was fine...until today. Leaking again. The Carbeurator Shop is closed until Monday for inventory control. I think my next step is to get a rebuild kit for this carb (Holley 1931). But from what I read it's the carb that came on a '68, not a '66. If I can't get this float bowl cover to seat - if it's too warped - what is the correct carb for this engine? (3.3) And/or, is there a preferred substitute that will fit the linkage and the manifold?

tomj Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List AMC Addicted Joined: Jan/27/2010 Location: los angeles Status: Offline Points: 599	Post Options Post Reply Quote tomj Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/30/2012 at 6:13pm
	oops, sorry. that carb does have the Holley type vertical gasket, submerged in gas (why i stopped using aftermarket Holley's decades ago). I am reminded to RTFM before I speak.
	1963 American 440 hardtop 195.6 OHV, modded T-96 Twin Stick, 3.78 axle

pacerman Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Supporter of TheAMCForum Joined: Jul/03/2007 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3942	Post Options Post Reply Quote pacerman Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Mar/30/2012 at 7:54pm
	I "think" the correct single barrel for a 199 or 232 (single) on a 1966 American is a Holley 1920. Close cousin to the 1931 and I think it basically uses the same rebuild kit. The carburetor shop will know for sure about the kit. Joe
	Happiness is making something out of nothing.