Triumph Repair: TR6 carb leak, float chamber, brass cap

Question
HI Howard, your comment would be most appreciated.
My 71 TR6 started leaking from the front carb. The leak seems to be coming from the bottom of the carb. Car still starts and runs fine but the leak is getting much worse. Can you suggest a course of action.
Many Thanks
Ty

Answer
If you have a leak you need to remove the air filter and with a light and mirror look to see where it is coming from. If it is coming from around the center brass plug (about the size of a quarter) You need to remove that carb and remove the float chamber and carefully inside you will see that is is not brass but is plastic with a brass cap. The plastic unit has locking fingers inside. So you have to alternate prying on the brass cap and forcing the inside fingers inward. This is very difficult to get out without braking the plastic fingers on some because as the plastic gets old it becomes brittle. If you can get it out you will see that it is sealed with an "O" ring. Some carb kits have this "O" ring and some don't so you may need to source the ring from a bearing company. Be sure to tell them it must seal gasoline.
If it is not the center plug leaking than you may have a floading carb and you still need to remove the carb to remove the float chamber to see if the float or needle and seat is at fault.
Another possible is the screws came loose on the choke assembly and that is leaking.
Let me know,
Howard