Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:34 pm
I don't think the fuel would make it thro the pump mechanicsm - always turn mine off anyway - had puddles of fuel before with sticking float valves (Indian m/c!)
I also had a 356C with a badly seating ball valve that allows fuel into the fuel bowls. It allowed fuel to overide the floats and go straight down to the engines sump. The engine oil was about 20% petrol and overiding the max level on the dipstick is a bad situation.
The registry people also say if the car is left facing upwards on a hill with fuel tap on and with a slightly worn ball valve gravity fed petrol can overide the float as above. Also if the tap is never turned off like I never did you might have the surprise like me to see a puddle of fuel on the mats from a defective Petrol cock gasget! Mine was certainly 40 years old and the cork it was made from was more like hard wood when I extracted it.
Left without looking, over a week I guess 2 gallons inside the car! I now turn mine off.
I think although not measured! the fuel tank would need to be filled to the top to meet the level of the carb fuel input with the car on the level of course. I will check that!
All this above might not apply to Solex carbs I have no recent experience
of these only Zenith 32NDIX versions.
Roy