Ford Money Pit

Hello. I recently joined this forum because I am at the end of my knowledge, and abilities. I was hoping that someone has experienced this scenario. I have a 1973 Ford 2000 tractor based upon the stamping on the body, with metric and standard bolts and parts from Great Brittan on the 3 cylinder gas motor. The carburetor was a Holley from a 3000 model. When I purchased the tractor it ran. Poorly, but it ran. The motor could not be pushed to accelerate unless done gradually. I was able to cycle through the gears of the 4 speed with a high & low. The wheel seals were leaking, and the assembly for the clutch pedal was leaking where it entered the body of the tractor. After shutting the motor off the carburetor leaked fuel on the ground. Enough to leave an eight inch round puddle. Ok. This is where I started. I purchased a carb kit and proceeded to deep clean the carb, adjust the float, and re-assemble with the new parts. Still leaked. Assembled and dis-assembled looking for my error. Found nothing. Fuel still leaked no change. The fuel was leaking at the bottom of the carb out of the air intake, and the built in drain. I replaced the Holley with a new Zenyth, because apparently the Holley could wear out and could not be repaired without sending it out. At best that was a 50/50. So I leapt with faith that the Zenyth was the answer. The motor ran better, fuel still leaked at the same amount and rate. As I increased the throttle the tractor would spit and backfire. I could not bring it up to speed at all. Ok. Next problem. Vacuum advance on the distributor was shot. Great! Can't buy a new vacuum diaphragm!! So I installed my new distributor with a mechanical advance. Success! Timing is perfect, throttle increase/decrease perfect. Looking good! Carb still leaks same amount! Checked pressure on fuel pump.. 5 pounds on the money. Tractor starts great.. runs great but it's running a little rich. This is pointing to the float level in the new Zenyth Carb. Before I open this new carburetor up to check the float level, can anyone tell me if I missed something? The fuel leak is coming from inside the throat of the carb body. It drips after I shut the tractor off. The fuel shut off at the tank works. I do not have the piping from the air filter on tight to the carburetor. I feel if I had all that piping buttoned up it may not leak on the ground. It would stay in the pipe, and the bottom of the carb. But that's not the way it should be. However, the tractor is still running rich. Again, this is pointing to the float level. I just find it odd that I have the same exact issue through two carburetors. Does anyone see anything that I may not have checked? Also does anyone know the float level setting on the new Zenyth carb for a Ford 2000? If I can provide any more information, please ask. I really appreciate any suggestions. Thank you, Robert

Normally these newer tractors dont flood as bad as the earlier models. Maybe you got some crud from the fuel line into the needle area and its acting up?? When its running,,, there will be some gas that can run out of the carb a bit, especially if there is a bad intake valve. Do you have the hoses on the carb back to the air filter??? When its off, not running....... the leaking is all about the needle jet and float working properly. I have a rule that all pre '65 tractors get the gas turned off.. and post '65 usually not...as to the newer carbs doing a better job with the needle and floats. But you may need to just turn off the fuel when your through running it or find out why the needle is not seating correctly.

Thank you for the suggestion. I will start to check the float level. I was hoping that possibly I may have missed something simple. I have never opened a Zenyth carb before. But I guess there is a first time for everything. Thank you again for your response.

You might want to communicate with the vendor where you bought the carb before opening it up. A new carb should not have such an issue and it might be warranted.

POMESTER. Thank you for your thoughts. I agree. I paid over
$500.00 bucks for this new carb. I will ask before I open it up.
Maybe they may ask for an exchange. Don't know until you ask. I
will get back to you with the outcome. Thank you again. Be well....

5 psi sounds too high to me. try bypassing the fuel pump and with 1/4 tank of fuel or more you will have sufficient flow with gravity feed to properly operate the engine. I run all my 2000 and 3000 gas tractors without the fuel pump. you can bypass the pump with rubber gas line from your local parts store.

POMESTER, I had reached out to Yesterday's Tractors about the
carb. Whoops! I purchased it from Steiner's. That was awkward..
Any way, Steiner's will discuss the matter with there returns
department and get back to me. Maybe they will send another unit
out. Who knows. But I do thank you for suggesting that I call first.
Thank you. I will keep you posted on the outcome. Robert

AGJIM, Thank you for your input. 5lbs. was in spec with the service manuals that I have for my tractor. My dad and I agree with you.
We thought it should have been around 3lbs., but I sided with the manual, and the pressure gauge was exactly 5lbs. consistently. I do want to ask about the gravity feed. I had wanted to do that with this tractor to remove another moving part that I may need to replace or fix, or adjust, etc. Simplicity is where I want to go!! You had mentioned 1/4 tank of fuel. Is that a minimum for a head of pressure? Or will it run dry like any other normal gravity fed system? If possible, could you please give me a bit more reassurance that that system will work in all situations I may encounter. Like on the roadways bottomed out in acceleration, hills, under loads, etc. I am very interested in that idea. Thank you for your time. Robert

usually it will use most of the gas in the tank with gravity feed. The bottom of the tank is nearer level with the carb than the older fords. If you are low on gas and you climb a hill the carb level is nearer level with the bottom of the tank so you might not have sufficient flow for good operation. That's why I say to keep at least 1/4 tank of gas. Your manual specifies 5 psi for a Holley but you don't know what your new Zenith recommends for max psi. I still think you will have better luck with 2-3 psi or gravity feed.