T-6 and T-28 down

[T6pilot]

I picked up the repaired carb at the overhaul shop today. The float assembly was the cause of the engine stoppage. Both floats (installed "new" less than 25 hours ago) had radial cracks along the soldered seams, allowing fuel to seep into the floats, causing them to sink, which in turn raised the needle fully off of the seat and caused excessive fuel to go through, which flooded the engine, causing it to quit. Apparently these "new" float assemblies are 60 years old and some are getting brittle. Shop says same problem can affect the "little" Marvel carbs, but new manufacture replacement float assemblies are available from two sources. Alas, no new production NAY-9E1 float assemblies are available to the best of their knowledge.

Carl

[Forgotten Field]

Have seen similar problems with vintage motorcycle float reproductions- bad cracking and subsequent flooding of engine. Most of the OEM floats were cork and work well if you can condition them. We paint NOS cork floats with model airplane dope to seal them against the modern injector cleaners in the gas and they seem to work well. Any way to seal the metal floats prior to shipping to a carb overhaul place? Were any of these carbs originally equipped with cork floats? Just a thought...