[Zmagnette] leak at fuel line float bowl connection

[Fletcher Millmore]

Steve-
Assuming the washers are something akin to the OE red fibre, soak them 
in warm oil for a few hours. That softens them a bit and lubricates the 
bolt thrust surface, a source of significant friction. Check that the 
bolt in fact screws in freely to well beyond the required depth - it is 
common to have corrosion deposits in the lid threads, which stops the 
bolt, especially if the washers are too thin. The corrosion is hard as 
concrete! Use Lubriplate on the bolt threads, to reduce torque and 
prevent corrosion  in the threads for next time. There is a surprising 
amount of drag in the threads and under bolt head if these parts are not 
lubed. All this will make it less frightening to tighten the requisite 
amount - I've seen guys break the bowl, but it is rare.

"More flexible" would result in leaks as the washers compress under 
vibration, heat, and time.

FRM

On 3/3/2014 5:38 PM, Steven Trovato wrote:
> My Magnette recently decided to spit fuel out of the overflow on the 
> rear carb.  The floats were fine, but I took the opportunity to 
> replace both floats with the new nitrophyl type.  I also replaced the 
> needles/seats with new spring loaded viton tip kind.  I used new 
> gaskets and washers from a rebuild kit.  When I got everything back 
> together I had a leak between the float bowl lid and the fuel line 
> banjo fitting.  I took it apart again and carefully rubbed the mating 
> surfaces using emery cloth on a piece of glass.  With this treatment 
> and tightening the bolt with a lot of force, I finally get it all back 
> together with no leak.  Before anyone asks, yes, the banjo fitting is 
> the right way around, with the recessed side facing the bolt head.  
> The washers provided in the kit are not very thick and they are pretty 
> hard.  Is this what everyone uses here?  It seems like there should be 
> something a little thicker and more flexible.
>
> -Steve T.
>
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