Well, the title says it all. There is always a puddle under the carb and it's coming from the air cleaner. It isn't straight gas, and I think the carb is supposed to do that with un-burnt fuel. I think it's running rich due to heavy carbon deposits at the tailpipe. Any ideas?

 

I am not familiar with S&S carbs but i'll add in a couple of ideas.

It may be straight gas mixed with whatever it picked up from the air filter, and from the cases etc as it puddled up.

Backfire thru the carb is often a lean condition. Backfire thru the exhaust is often a rich condition, being unburned gas burning in the hot exhaust.

My first thing would be to adjust the pushrods. It could be that an intake valve is open when it should not be, hence fuel being pushed out thru the carb ...

Ironhead Push Rod Adjustment
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=44143

Pushrod adjust must be done with the engine stone cold. I prepare the night before, getting parts loosened/off/whatever, and preparing to get the rear wheel off the ground. Then it is a quick task in the AM.