Topic: 350F Carb Leak

[sfhurst]

Ready for the first start of my rebuilt '73 350F.  I should add that I installed a rebuild kit in each of the carbs.  I filled the tank, opened the petcock, and fuel flowed out of the overflow outlet on the bottom of each bowl.  2 of them a lot, 2 just dripping.  I would assume a needle valve not closing.  I pulled the carbs and removed all of the float bowls.  The float height measured correct and the tang on the float seem to push against the needle valve with sufficient pressure to hold it closed.  What am I missing??

[Mark K]

Had a similar issue on my 750. Cleaned, rebuilt carbs w/aftermarket kits. #3 carb overflow tube pretty much continuously drained fuel, even with the engine running (slowed flow down a little bit). Pulled bowl, rechecked float adjustment, still had same issue. Replaced rebuild kit float w/float that came out of carb, problem solved. Luckily I kept old carb "guts" in little bags marked w/carb number they came out of.

[HondaMan]

Ready for the first start of my rebuilt '73 350F.  I should add that I installed a rebuild kit in each of the carbs. 
...
What am I missing??

Were the 'carb kits' from Honda? If not, the problem may be right there. Most non-OEM carb kits that I have seen for the 350F/400F don't have good parts, nor even proper ones. Some even have stupidly-bad floats, and all of them have the wrong jetting because their jets are not Keihin, but Keyster.

[sfhurst]

Hmm . . . My "rebuild" kit did not include new floats.  Not Honda but an after-market eBay item.  I did put my old floats in a bowl of gas and they all floated.  I pulled the floats and checked that the valve was free and that the float height was correct.  I also checked the overflow tubes for cracks and/or looseness.  All OK.  Thanks for the response.  We'll see.