As I recall most of those needles are brass and perhaps there can actually be wear between the needle and the seat, so for me $24 and one extra wire looks like good insurance. It does seem like the extreme angle of the hill was part of the problem so maybe the needle/float combination tried to float at an angle that did not seal. As I said at this point adding just one more wire and maybe a hidden switch is a small problem and looks like a good idea. Thinking back to my days pulling VW engines it was easy to just plug the rubber fuel line by inserting a Phillip screwdriver in the hose while you pull the engine but with the SBC fuel pump down low I think I will still add a mechanical valve in the line to shut off the fuel when changing the pump. You know you folks have me over sensitive to every issue what with some of the extremely high quality builds and the excellent safety suggestions by Tech1 so I am caught between my own desire to do a good safe job while at the same time running into my own skill and financial limits. Sooo when I see a bolt-on safety goody like a shutoff valve I say hey that is something I can bolt on and that is in my range of ability and it is good! You know there are some SUPER MECHANICS on this Forum so when I see some easy bolt-on that is a safety feature too, then I am going to do it; Holy Cow, restoration is EASY compared to rod fabrication/construction!

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder