Flushed again the line from the right tank until it ran clean. Reinstalled the gascolator screen, this time with the required spring in place. Filled right tank one gallon at a time and calibrated the Universal Fuelhawk tube. Removed carb bowl drain plug and left screen out. Flushed fuel line between gascolator and carb until it ran clean. Reinstalled carb screen and flushed again to clean out carb bowl. Tested carb for dripping from full tank and in three-point attitude. Got a very slow drip. Tapping on carb bowl reduced drip considerably, indicating to me that the drip may be from imperfect needle-to-seat mating. Dripping with this carb model is common, as evidenced by postings on various club forums. For now, we will deal with this by shutting off fuel valve after each flight. Long-term fix will await a time when lower part of carb can be removed for needle/seat replacement or lapping, and a very accurate setting of fuel level in bowl, per instructions and custom tool as described in Neal Wright article “ Stromberg Carb Fuel Level and Tools”.`
Next: Re-safety gascolator and carb drains, move on to oil leak investigation.
