Topic: Brass and Plastic Floats

[M.Harrigan]

I hate to add another "Float Thread" but I could not find the answer to this question.
I am rebuilding a set of carbs that I bought but have never used.
The set has 2 plastic and 2 brass floats. Is it ok to have mixed floats or do they all need to match?

[750K]

I would have no problem mixing, as long as the brass were in good shape and not leaking. After all it's the float level that is more important as far as I'm concerned but I've been wrong befor lol.

[flybox1]

I would have no issues either, but...if all were set with the same float height, the fuel levels might be slightly different between the brass and the hard foam because of buoyancy differences.
the only way to verify you have the correct fuel level for the carbs you are running, is with the clear tube method.

[70CB750]

2 years ago I soldered on of my floats because it was leaking.  The weight difference was 10 grains or so, it works fine ever since.

That said, I don't think it matters significantly how heavy/buoyant the float is.

[flybox1]

6/10ths of a gram is minute.  But however minute, any deviation from stock and there will be a change.
Might not matter that much in your case as all your floats were the same.
In this case, the floats are different (shape, weight, volume, displacement) and need to be treated as such to yield the same bowl fuel level across the carbs.

[Vinhead1957]

I also have had leaky brass floats. I think ethanol likes those solder joints.   I prefer the plastic ones because of this.

[lucky]

I hate to add another "Float Thread" but I could not find the answer to this question.
I am rebuilding a set of carbs that I bought but have never used.
The set has 2 plastic and 2 brass floats. Is it ok to have mixed floats or do they all need to match?

NO... do not mix them and use the right ones. Unless you like lots of problems.
Of course they have to match!  Cheeeeesssshhhh!!!!

[lucky]

I also have had leaky brass floats. I think ethanol likes those solder joints.   I prefer the plastic ones because of this.

The plastic floats have foam inside.

[ekpent]

I replaced the bad brass floats on my K1 with 4 used plastic ones and have never looked back, one less thing to go wrong.

[Kevin D]

I have 3 brass originals and 1 plastic replacement for about the last 10 years and 20000 miles.. or so.

[Don R]

 As long as the fuel level is set the same the carbs don't know. Heck they're not even speaking to each other.

[flybox1]

As long as the fuel level is set the same the carbs don't know. Heck they're not even speaking to each other.

^this
Proper fuel level is the goal. Clear tube method will show you the way.

[70CB750]

As long as the fuel level is set the same the carbs don't know. Heck they're not even speaking to each other.

 

[Johnie]

On my first KO 3 of the 4 floats were leaking. Changed over to plastic. On my current KO 2 of the 4 were leaking. Have already switched those over to plastic. My own view is 40 year old brass floats have seen their life. Change them out unless you are one who likes to run stuff until it dies.

[Don R]

 New floats are nice, I'm putting them in one set of my carbs.
I've given up on old float valves. The new ones in my 76F are sweet. If I forget to turn off the gas, no more stinky or exploding garage.