Reply to "Fuel System Issues - Help please"

I'm not afraid to slosh a LITTLE gas down a dry carb throat to so that the poor motor doesn't have crank and crank and crank to fill the fuel bowls and start. It's effectively the same thing you're doing when you pump the gas pedal prior to starting.

I've had some backfires, but that can happen whenever there is too much fuel in the manifold, no matter how it got there. If you're fooling with flammables keep a fire extinguisher nearby and use common sense (keep your face out of the way), it's no big deal.

Since, I've made a fuel primer bottle to fill the fuel bowls through the bowl vents. Put a little fuel in the primer bottle, screw on the cap, stick the hose into the vent and squeeze.

My Demon carb has fuel bowl level windows so it's a cinch. I just fill until I see the fuel rise in the window. With other carbs I just squeeze in an ounce or two of fuel, enough to fill the accelerator pump circuit and the engine should start right up.

When you're done with the primer bottle, loosen the cap and drain it. Vapor pressure in the bottle will cause fuel to dribble out as it warms and the plastic is not designed for long term exposure to fuel.

If you decide to rebuild your Autolite carb, it is quite easy. After you remove the top of the carb, be very aware of small parts related to the accelerator pump circuit that will fall out of the bottom section once it is inverted.

Good Luck.