Bowl Gasket Wet

[von]

I'm guessing it's not normal for the outer protruding edges of the air horn to bowl gasket to be wet to the touch and should be bone dry. Wetness indicating a sealing problem?

[omaha]

its hard to get some  carbs to seal up. It seems like the area in front of the acel pump is prone to seeping gas. Im still experimenting fixing this.  thick gasket is all I can suggest.  (after unwarping etc.)

[von]

From what I can tell, the wet air horn gasket is common to most pre-80's Q jets. It seems to be caused by wicking of the gasket. even perfectly mated gasket surfaces (unwarped) and thicker gaskets don't seem to help (for me anyway). I'm asking anyone with a Q jet euipped vehicle to try this test. After running and shutting off, let a couple hours go by and touch the edge of the air horn gasket in front with your finger. It will likely be wet with fuel. Am I wrong? Just curious.

[Toronado]

Ya I now do agree once there worn out they just stay leaky on the front from deformed metal,
there is little you can do, thick gaskets dont help, un-warpping does not all ways work.

(new carb?)

[von]

Both my Q jets just have a wet edge of the gasket. Not running down the side of the carb. Probably many are like this but just not that noticeable. As I stated before, my theory is the porous gasket material wicking gas. Too bad a Q jet air horn gasket isn't made of the same material as a Holley float bowl gasket. I tried an experiment of putting the corner of a Q jet gasket in some gas and it wicked like crazy. As long as the gasket was in the gas it would travel vertically, soaking the gasket the entire thickness. I guess we'll just have to live with it.

[Toronado]

Ya that paper gasket is not
the best for preventing gas wicking.

If its just wet & does not drip thats pretty good,
but it would be nice if it stayed bone dry.

Oh well my 40 year old carb is bound to have issue's.
Still smoke the tires and goes way to fast, hahaha.