I have the following prob with my B&S engine powering a generator: As soon as I pull the starter rope the downtube between the air cleaner and the carb starts filling with fuel and dripping down on the floor. There's no way to get the engine running, only sign is occasional backfire through the carb (ignition works).

I mounted a new float along with a carb rebuild kit, adjusted the float so that it's exactly horizontal with the carb turned upside down and adjusted the needles to factory specs. The same problem before and after.

Anybody have any suggestions? I'm short from throwing the damn thing out the shop window.

Regards
Martin

Sounds like a timing issue
Is your coil on correctly?
Has the flywheel key sheared?

So in that kit, was a new inlet needle?

Yes there were both needles, a new main jet, new float needle and gaskets.

You did not mention a new needle seat being in that kit. Your carb may not have a soft rubber type seat, but some do. Folks that are not aware of that,, sometimes blow that little seat out while blowing out the jets and are not aware of it. My shade tree logic would be to remove the carb, take the bowl off and turn it upside down like you did when you set the float. Attach a piece of fuel line to the fuel inlet and take a plastic cola or water bottle and drill a hole in the bottom just big enough to force the other end of the fuel line through. Add about two ounces of fuel and while holding the bottle above the carbb several inches see if it passess by the needle. If it does, the needle, seat or carb casting is at fault. Curious to knpow what you find. Best regards

Yep, some have a needle and seat..... some just have a neoprene tipped needle and brass seat

Well there were both types of needles in the kit, the old needle was a black neoprene tipped one so I put in that one again.

Regards
Martin

I have the same motor (also on a generator) with the same problem,
except mine readily starts and runs. My fuel drip seems to only occur
when the choke is on...strange. I'm curious to know what happened
in your case. Did the neoprene tipped needle work? Did you throw it
out the shop window? Is your shop on the first floor? Thanks.

in most briggs carbs of this type there is a hard seat replacement that is pressed in
kit #394683 and it comes with instuctions when she wont stop leaking after the needle is replaced then a new seat will usually fix it the instuctions also call for the use of part #93029 self tapping screw for removal and using the old seat to push the new one in using a vise its a pain but cheaper than a new carb good luck