1954 corvette carter yh carbs, floats set @ 3/8 top, 2'' drop, runs good, but gas runs out the ''side draft '' opening when I shut the engine off. #1 is ok, but center and #3 leak , but not the entire amount of gas in the float compartment. I changed the top adjustment to 1/2'' to minimize gas volume in the float area, still leaks....why ?

The float is not set up properly, or the needle is stuck open.

1977 now that is a blast from the past.
finding books that old is hard, but are sold in book stores.
but from Carter, and very very old jeep books.
4 engine then
and 2 Carters, i see.
232/258cu-in, with YF carb
here ill paste the words

"To adjust the float drop, hold the air horn in the upright position and measure the distance between the top of the float, at the extreme outer end, and the air horn casting. The measurement should be 11/4 in. (31.75mm) to 1973, 13/8 in. (35mm) 1974-78. Adjust by bending the tab at the rear of the float lever."

it's a carb engine and carb fuel pump.
redux for "IT"

OR DID "IT" MEAN THE OIL STINKS OF GAS.
NOT CLEAR.
i drained the oil and the catch pan stinks of raw fuel.
THE GAS DILUTED WITH GAS, CAN BE 2 THINGS.
ON CARB CARS.
1: THE BLOCK MOUNTED FUEL PUMP is bad and leaks fuel into the crankcase, badly and fast.'

2: carb float valve is stuck, open and fuel flowing like crazy out all jets and nozzles , un controlled...

84 XJ Pioneer. AMC 2.5L
not to many of these left on the road.
it had a Rochester or Carter CARB.
Ever check float levels on it?
or rebuild a carb? with new float valve, that does not stick?

take off air cleaner
stall engine, at same moment look down carb bore
(horn) does it still leak fuel engine off?
oops. (float stuck)
if not, then jump on fuel pump bad inside. replace it.

The Mopar slant six engines - Allpar

www.allpar.com/slant6.html

The 1977 "Super Six" with a two-barrel Carter carb compensated for smog ... Heavy-duty slant six engines used in industrial and some truck/bus (perhaps fleet as well) ...You can retrofit the double roller chain and gears into car slant sixes, .... of way to have a twin exhaust system because, man, will that do wonders for a six.

Chevrolet straight-6 engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_straight-6_engine

WikipediaMany popular cars and trucks, including the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Impala, ....resulting in an unequal and unbalanced work load between the six cylinders. ... in the 261 truck engine and used triple side draft, single barrel, Carter Model YH .... The '78 Camaro had 105 horsepower (78 kW) and 190 ft·lbf (260 N·m) of ...

its a carb, and as such only needs to have a constant float bowl level.
Te sami pump runs a regulator built in, you test that with a pressure gauge.
one side?
did you read the FSM on topic>
here
http://www.acksfaq.com/sitemap.htm
see chapter 4 on carb and pump
the carb has only one input, and that is fuel line to the float valve.
the pump , however does have a loop,
that is because it has a regulator and returns unused fuel to the tank,
kinda like EFI does.

The pump has 3 nipples, 1 suction port. and 2 pressure ports.
1 pressure port is the return line an the other is carb.
the return tube is the top tube of the pair.
the pressure reg holds pressure at 3 to 7 PSI
if the float bowl stays at spec level at all times, even full engine load.
then the pump ,float and valve all work as designed.
that leaves, carb internal problems/
never blame a carb , if the distributor adavance, parts are stuck.
check advance first. then tune carb.

Has the carb been puled off for a rebuild? If not sounds as though the floats may be out of adjustment or malfunctioning. Also a good kit will help it run better. You'll need the numbers on the carburetor to get the kit. There is either a tag or embossed area on where you can find these numbers. Dodge/Chrysler used Carter branded carbs in the past yours may still be one.

Check the choke and make sure that the choke is all the way open when hot. The choke should only be closed when cold. The choke can be adjusted on the side by loosening the 3 screws and wathcing the butterfly valve.

Check the needle and seat in the carbs, sounds as if the needle is not seating allowing gas to flow till pressure in the lines drop. Since bowl is full the gas will force its way out any place it can. Usually a gasket. Good luck!! Hope I gave you an idea of where to look.

no spring poss small wire from needle to float! the way it works is float is up needle close because float bowl full--when fluid or gas goes down valve opens lets fluel in.ck full pump disconnect line at carb crank over with guage should have apprx 7psi of press not less then 5psi carefull gas flameable

Did the carb kit come with a new float? It sounds like the float level is not set right, it has a hole in it or the needle is not seating right. If the float is not set correctly it will hit on the carb body before it shuts off the fuel flow with the needle and seat. If the float has a hole in it it will fill with fuel and not float at the proper angle to shut the fuel off when the desired level is reached. Remove the top of the carb and inspect the float when closed it should be just about level with the top plate from the carb. Shake the float and see if you hear any liquid in the float. Also are you running a mechanical or electric pump? Mike
P.S. I myself have forgotten to install the needle in a carb rebuild.

Let me know how you make out.