Ford: carburetor leaking gas, float bowl, seat assembly

Question
Dear Tim I have a 1985 f150  with a 300ci six. Just recently when I started the truck it began to start bogging after about a minute, and I smelled gas from under the hood. I then noticed gas leaking from somewhere around the carburetor in an alarming amount. Please help me diagnose this problem as this is my only transportation, and would be dangerous to drive in this condition.

Answer
hello,

there are a couple of places the carb can leak.  given the amount you feel it is leaking< I would initially suspect the float and needle/ seat assembly. If the float has sunk or the needle has debris behind it, the fuel will overflow the bowl and leak ot the top or around the trottle shaft bushings.  Try tapping the carb near the fuel line and see if it re-seats.  a sunk float would require internal carb repairs.

If the fuel is leakingh from under the float bowl area, I would guess that the power valve is leaking and needs a new diaphragm.

The other possible leak area is at the fuel filter into the carb itself.  This may have been overtightened and stripped or cracked the carb.