Carb overflow plastic pipe, safety thought

[Moraystag]

Gent's was tinkering around the engine bay today and basically tidying up and checking that bolts have not backed off after timing chain change out and had a close look at the overflow pipe from the carbs. The way it was positioned was as it had been when I bought the car. Obviously this pipe was removed when I took off the chain cover.

I know this might seem a bit daft but I noticed that the end of the overflow pipe was positioned directly above the left hand exhaust, and to be honest I had not paid to much attention to this pipe and it's position while cracking on and re-assembling everything.
Basically if I had an overflow of petrol from the carbs due to needles sticking or whatever, this fuel would have discharged straight onto the exhaust manifold, and I can only imagine that this would have ignited pretty pronto if the car had been up to temperature.
I have re-routed this pipe now, clear of the exhaust, however I feel it should be a little longer to avoid any splash onto the exhaust manifilod, just incase.
For what it's worth it may be an idea for others to check the routing of this fuel overflow pipe, at least in the interest of safey, and to avoid a blue flash and resulting heartache, it just struck me as one of those very stupid, but easily overlooked things that could lead to a big problem.

Mike

[jleyton]

Hi Mike,

The overflow should go down the front of the engine front cover and deposit any excess fuel well away from heat sources.

Not the best of pics but you can just see the end of it here.

Cheers

Julian

DSCN1363.jpg

[Moraystag]

Yes I can see it Julian, mine was down the left side and more or less in line with the left hand exhaust manifold. I never really took much notice of it before, but after my carbs started spewing petrol out of the overflow when I first fitted them, I have ment to check the routing of this pipe. To be honest, I think that yours will be slightly longer than the one I have installed.

Mke

[Another Peter]

I know that I'm going to regret saying this, but mine, like Mike's, is not as long as Julian's

I don't think mine even clears the engine block.

Still, at least it appears to be an easy fix for once.

Regards

Peter

[Moraystag]

So the general opinion is that Julian has a longer one than us, hmmmmm, maybe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

[jleyton]

[Another Peter]

So the general opinion is that Julian has a longer one than us, hmmmmm, maybe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL

Certainly for the moment, but I've just got a longer one from Halfords.

In fact, it is so long that I'm going to have to trim it

Regards

Peter

[V Mad]

I think the original purpose of the pipes were for air venting. You may have noticed that the (correct position of the) RH pipe goes up and over the top of the carb, so when the carb floods, the fuel pours into the engine instead of out of the pipe.

[Moraystag]

Peter I have not seen this type of black pipe in halfords how do they sell it in the meter ??

Mike

Certainly for the moment, but I've just got a longer one from Halfords.

In fact, it is so long that I'm going to have to trim it

Regards

Peter

[Another Peter]

Mike

They sell it "off the roll", I've been using the 8mm internal diameter. I haven't actually seen it on display, I've always had to ask for it.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=fuel+hose&department=all&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

They also sell proper fuel clips (rather than jubilee).

Regards

Peter

[Moraystag]

Thank's Peter I'll have a look next time I'm in Halfrauds

Mike