Triumph Repair: Zenith Stomberg float plug removal, spitfire 1500, float bowl

Question
I recently bought a '74 spitfire 1500.  I'm constantly scooping/pushing some of my small children out of the way to study and get a feel for the components. So...this crazy stromberg carb...It leaks fuel from that float plug on the bottom of the carb. (a steady stream). And when I go to start it it takes forever to pump fuel up to the carb...if i don't I can hear the starter running.  Do/can I just replace the float plug without taking the carb apart or off the engine?  How do you remove the plug? It seems to spin freely as it pours fuel all over my hand and garage floor.

Answer
Kevin,

The plug in the bottom of the float bowl is plastic with a brass cap.  It's just a snap in affair, so if you're carefull you can remove it with the carb on the car.  

Use a catch can under the carb to catch all the leaking gas while you remove the plug.

If it comes out without breaking then it should be possible to fit a new o-ring and replace the plug in the float bowl.  It'd be best to obtain the o-ring from one of the Triumph parts suppliers.  If you don't have a supplier in mind you can find one following the "www" links at www.vtr.org.  

Do please keep the children in the house (or at a friends house better yet) while you perform this repair.  Having a fire extinguisher handy is also a good idea.


Cheers,

Jim