proper gas pump pressure for 49/50 Kaiser 1 bbl 100hp

[Jim B PEI]

I'm thinking of getting a 6 volt electric pump for my Kaiser. Should it be the 2.5-4.0 pounds low pressure type, or the ones up to 8 lbs pressure? I understand the HJ takes the lower pressure pump, but the 226???

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

At 1000 RPM, the pump should push at 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 lbs per the 1947-48-49 Factory Shop Manual, page 65.

Page 64 has a note that if pressure exceeds 4 1/2 lbs, adjustments should be made to lower pressure

[Jim B PEI]

Thanks for the info!

[Lisa P]

I have a question about fuel pressure as well.  When idling for only a minute or less, the '48 with Carter 1bbl uses a full 3 cups of fuel.  I have not rebuilt the carburetor yet, but did read that the fuel pump pressure could be adjusted by installing more spacers (gaskets?)  When the old non-functioning fuel pump was removed, it had two gaskets or spacers between it and the block.  When I replaced it with a new one, I also used two although I am not sure of the current fuel pressure. 

The question then is, could the car be using this much fuel because it has too much pressure, or is there something else going on with the carb that I should check?  When I look down the throat of the carb, I can see a part of a gasket that has worked its way out from the carb body somewhere.  Maybe fuel is being forced out past the loose gasket? 

Thanks again in advance for all your help.

[joefrazer]

I would rebuild the carburetor. If the accelerator pump is allowing too much fuel by, then you'll get a rich mixture condition. The same holds true if the float is leaking. It will sink and fool the carb into thinking it needs more fuel. An easy check is to pull a spark plug or two. Are the black and sooty? If so, then your carb needs attention.

One barrel carb kits for the early Kaisers are not expensive and most anyone with a reasonable mechanical aptitude can rebuild one.

[HJ-ETEX]

Lisa: The correct carb for your car is a Carter WA-1, type 622. The casting # on the cast iron base should be 309. I initially was going to say that the accelerator pump was the problem. But that was based on 3 Carter YF carbs I have seen in the last 4 years. The YF (used on HJs, Willys and even Ford 300 c.i. sixes) has a diaphragm while the WA-1 has a plunger for the accelerator pump. However, the excessive fuel consumption does say that too much gas is being dumped into the manifold.
It sounds like you need to put a kit in the carb before you do anything more and these are available at NAPA - Hal Naumann got one for the WA-1 carb on his Hudson about 2 weeks ago. Pay special attention to the accelerator pump, though.   

[Lisa P]

Thanks much for the info HJ-ETEX and joefrazer! 

As for the plugs, last time I looked they were kind of wet and oily so it was hard to tell if there was soot as well    I looked again tonight and it is the WA-1.  The carb looked pretty wet on the outside as well, hopefully a rebuild will take care of that too?  I will talk to my parts guys tomorrow about the rebuild kit, if they can't get it, I will head to NAPA.  Rebuilding a carb is something that has always intimidated me but this one seems pretty straightforward.  I will pay really close attention to the accelerator pump, lets just hope I don't lose anything while I'm attempting this!  Thanks again, you all are the best.

[Jim B PEI]

Here is a hint, works with anything small and fiddely with tiny parts and hidden springs --ask me how I know, and how many times I didn't learn. No, don't
If you have a little but deepish white cardboard box that you actually disassemble things in, when something falls out or goes fleeing, you have a better chance of finding the bits. (but as a sensible person, you already knew that)
Good luck!

[HJ-ETEX]

Lisa: Jim B has some good advice using the box! The WA-1 isn't a very complex carb and the kit should come with an assembly diagram. If that isn't suitable, well we have period literature. This will be an opportunity to get a little more mileage from your old toothbrushes as well when you use them to clean the parts.

[Lisa P]

Jim and HJ, I found a nice white tote with sides that are probably 5-6" tall and was thinking about putting a towel in the bottom so the parts don't bounce around.  I was wondering, do I need to clean all the parts with carb cleaner?  Should I soak the carb in a cleaner overnight to get it really clean? 

The shop manual I have does have a rebuild procedure in it if I remember correctly but I can always use more information-too much is not enough for me! 

HJ, the only special tools I need then are toothbrushes?  I can do that