repairing float

[texas 70]

Just picked up a '74 xl70. Appears it sat for quite a while as the tank and carb were full of varnish. As I was cleaning the carb, I notice a pin hole in each of the floats (on the bottom). Can I just solder the holes with regular solder?

 

[Ayers Garage]

Soldering floats is fine practice, just make sure not to add too much solder to the float as you will affect it's buoyancy.

 

[69ST]

I'd suggest using 70/30 lead-tin solder w/paste flux (the stuff used for body leading, formerly used for plumbing) and a soldering iron, instead of a torch. Second choice would be acid core lead solder, if you can find it. I stay away from the lead-free stuff because of the higher melting point & poor flow-out. Heat presents some problems with a float. First is warpage, second is air expansion; you don't want the float to collapse after you've sealed it airtight & the air inside cools.