Fuel problem on Lister D

Hi all,
I knew I would be a pain to the rest of you. My Lister D float chamber, I had to remove the old copper plate float as it leaked badly and I was unable to repair it, so I ordered a new float and needle. The reason being that the float chamber overfilled and fuel was being "pumped" out of the two air breather holes in the screw on lid of the float chamber. Even when I have put in the new float and needle it still does this, so in my naivety, I cleaned the inside of the float chamber as it felt rough and I thought the float may be catching.
Will this solve the problem, I havnt tried to get it going again as I do not want to set myself on fire with petrol.

The float could be sticking, quite a common issue and a gentle tap on the side of the float chamber with the starting handle usually cures it! Is the float far enough on the needle, the clip on the float should fit into the groove on the needle? Try turning the fuel on with the top off of the float chamber, it should stop when the float is fully raised but if not then twiddle the needle between your fingers just in case it isn't seated correctly. One other point, is the new needle too long and bottoming in the lid before it touches the seat, if it is OK with the top off but floods with it on then maybe that it the problem?

Pete.

Thanks Pete, I will give this a try. Much appreciated.
John

Hi, Make sure that the top of the needle is seating correctly in the top lid, otherwise it will jam open. Might be worth 'lapping' in the working surface at the bottom of the needle to the float chamber union with Brasso, this will ensure a good seal. I wouldn't worry about a little petrol spillage, take your engine outside into an open area, fill the float chamber and then turn off the fuel if it is a concern, the engine will still start. Cheers Dave

you might have to bend the small float lever gentley to make it close at a lower point?

Thanks very much gents, I think a combination of these snippets of advice may have cracked my problem with the fuel.
Now just to get the timing right I think.
Have to say that this is a much more helpful forum than some others I tried to get on, or have been on.
Thanks again.
John