The V8 Owners Forum -

My Rover SD1 engine is driving me nuts. The fuel from one SU carb is just running straight out through the overflow pipe, which would indicate a stuck float or something preventing the needle valve from closing. I have just put it back together after checking it over and finding nothing. The other is not supplying its cylinders with fuel, exhibiting the symptoms of a stuck needle valve, only it's not as I can blow through the inlet pipe. The car has been idle for years, so is it at all possible that old fuel has evapotated away leaving deposits to gunge something up the fuel passageways inside the carbs?

If they have been stood for years you may well have a build up of resin that has hardened inside the carb. I had this on my V8. It had stood for 7-8 years.
Strip them down and clean them up. Just make sure everything is clear and then you can set up the jets heights etc..

Hello Will,

As Perry advised, dismantle both carbs completely and rebuild with all new parts, seals, floats, needle valves, the lot.

Ron.

Thanks for the advice. I'm begining to wonder whether it's worth it. I've already had the engine out to free a frozen clutch, all the oil seals on on the transmission are now leaking, the brakes are probably rusted solid too.