Fuel is leaking from both fuel bowls; well it’s more like dripping. I’m new to SU carburetors and could use some guidance. Got this 63 PV544 this spring and the engine ran well with no carburetor fuel leak.

Looking for any recommendations or references.

Background:

Gas tank was in very bad shape with a very minor leak. I believe the PO (previous owner) ran the engine after putting gas in the old rusty tank last fall after the vehicle has been sitting for a very long time. So, there may be dirt in the fuel bowl.

The PO had loosened off the fuel pump for some reason, resulting in oil dripping under the car, but the engine ran fine without any fuel leaks.

I tightened the fuel pump bolts, but oil still leaked. Later discovered the inner gasket behind the fuel pump spacer was damaged.

One of the fuel bowls started leaking, I believe, after tightening the fuel pump bolts.

Made fuel pump gaskets from material that was somewhat thinner than the original and reinstalled the fuel pump with gasket on both sides of the spacer. I also mounted a pressure gauge after the fuel pump. I believe I read somewhere that the pressure should be between 2 and 3 PSI.

After starting the engine, had a fuel leak from both fuel bowls. The fuel pressure was difficult to read off the gauge as the needle was fluctuating wildly. The gauge full scale is 100 inches of water (27.7 inch of water = 1 PSI). I estimate the pressure (due to needle vibrations) somewhere around 3 PSI.

Took the three screws off of the fuel bowl to check the needle and seat valve, but the cover is stuck in place. I do not have a spare gasket set, so decided at this time not to pry off the cover and put the screws back. I will get back at it later when I have a set of gaskets. Any recommendations on the best way to pull off the fuel bowl cap?

What should the fuel pressure be for these carbs? I was thinking of adding more gaskets to the fuel pump in an effort to reduce pressure to the fuel bowl.

Other than a leaky fuel bowl, could high pressure cause any additional damage to any component of the carb?