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Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 12:26 pm
by dangerboy
Hey all, I have officially stopped hitting myself in the head with a hammer and given up on three consecutive Solexes. Bought a Weber, but need to reverse the throttle/accelerator linkage. The series II linkage goes up and the Weber linkage goes down (of course). Has anyone bought or made a pivot linkage for this? Don't really want to re-invent the wheel or, really, anything. I know, I'm a lazy bugger
:)
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 12:33 pm
by mepham55
dangerboy wrote:Hey all, I have officially stopped hitting myself in the head with a hammer and given up on three consecutive Solexes. Bought a Weber, but need to reverse the throttle/accelerator linkage. The series II linkage goes up and the Weber linkage goes down (of course). Has anyone bought or made a pivot linkage for this? Don't really want to re-invent the wheel or, really, anything. I know, I'm a lazy bugger
:)
Do you have the adapter block for the intake manifold as well? You will need this when swapping to a weber or zenith. You can use your original linkage on the weber you just need to bend and tweek a few things. See here:
http://www.aloharovers.com/tech/linkage.htm
Matt
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 12:39 pm
by dangerboy
Exactly what I have been scouring the web for! Thanks Matt! I made an adaptor block (I'm a machinist) so I'm good to go now. The Red Rocket will ride again!
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 3:03 pm
by swamijake
I have had success with the Weber, but many on here swear it is marginally worse than a sewer outflow. Here are a couple of tips for the Weber:
They need consistent and relatively low fuel pressure. Get one of these:
http://www.piercemanifolds.com/product_p/b26570.htm
The weber has a jet in the bottom of the float bowl which is prone to getting clogged if anything gets in it. make sure you use a good filter.
They can freeze up in certain conditions. The series one intake manifold is heated which I think helps, but I'm not sure about the 2.25. If that intake manifold isn't heated you may have some winter weather frozen carb issues.
That being said, mine works great.
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 5:58 pm
by dangerboy
Thanks for the advice swami, I just ordered one. I think if I keep the filter clean to keep particulate out, my old exhaust manifold will keep the icing to a minimum. ANYTHING will be better than a baffed Solex. I think more fuel was leaving via the sides of the carb than the exhaust. And the exhaust was blacker than my ex's soul!
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 8:10 am
by HeadDamage
The Zenith carb is much better than the Webber. I found the single barrel weber terrible for vapor lock and icing.
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 3:10 pm
by dangerboy
Well, I'm there now, might as well try it. I have heard that some vehicles have the ice up problem, and others don't. No one seems to know why... I understand if you take all the oil out of the motor it runs warm enough to prevent this ;)
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 4:22 pm
by HeadDamage
The icing problem is most noticeable if you have a crank case vent flowing into your intake before the carb. Lots of short trips where the oil doesn't warm enough to steam off any water also make it much worse when you do go for a longer drive that heats up the oil which then steams off in mass and freezes in the carb when it goes through the crank case vent system.
The only way I could keep vapour lock at bay was to put an electric pump in line with the mechanical pump. Was most often a problem when off roading in hot weather.
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 4:39 pm
by swamijake
It was never a problem on the series one with a weber, then again it just dumps crank case fumes out the breather.
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2014 7:23 pm
by rayhyland
dangerboy, do you still have those three Solex carbs?
Ray
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 5:23 pm
by dangerboy
Hey Ray, yes I do, are there bits you need?
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:22 pm
by rayhyland
I want to give a complete carb to a shop to have it rebuilt.
What are your plans for yours?
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 6:58 pm
by dangerboy
Thought I might see how far out into the chuck I could hurl them... interested in a contest?
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 7:16 pm
by rayhyland
ha, if they appear to be complete and you don't want them I will happily take them off your hands.
Are you going to the xmas dinner on Thursday?
Ray
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:55 pm
by dangerboy
Need to make sure the Veber will work and we can talk then, ok?
d
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 2:11 pm
by rayhyland
perfect
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2014 8:40 pm
by Hectorious
I just finished rebuilding a used Zenith 36 IV. It was my first carb rebuild, and went surprisingly smoothly. I lapped the mating surfaces to avoid the possible warping issues, and won't you know it, I didn't have any bits left when I reassembled it! :D The PO had installed a Weber 34/36 that never quite ran right, and I wanted to replace it. The Zenith apparently wasn't standard on the 2.25 petrol Series 2A's until 1967, but I don't think my 1966 will mind too much. So far, much smoother, lower idle, and while it took a little adjustment to get a smooth quick acceleration, it's purring like a kitten now. I like!
PS: I wouldn't recommend the Pro Line rebuild kit. The paper gaskets for the acceleration pump didn't come even close to fitting, and I had to re-use the old ones.
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 5:18 pm
by dangerboy
Oh sure, NOW you all tell me. Well the die is cast, let's hope it's not snake eyes.
Just heard a good one, 'remember the Lucas motto - Home before dark!'
:)
d
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 7:40 pm
by Hectorious
Another one: You know they are of royal decent? Lucas, Prince of Darkness. :lol:
Did you figure out how to reverse the linkage? If not, PM me, and I'll explain what I did. It was a simple matter of moving a linkage rod to a different, preexisting hole and making a shorter linkage swivel ball arm thingiemajig. I'll send photos if required.
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2015 9:43 pm
by dangerboy
Well, the linkage wasn't quite as simple as reversing stuff, I had to make a new part, then a new return spring. However the Red Rocket rides again! I hope to be bringing her to Founders day.
Ray will you be there? If so I will bring one of the old Solexes for you.
Thanks for all the help everyone...
peace
d
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:58 am
by rayhyland
So, just following up if you have ze Vebber working, and if so, are you going to Founders Day?
Cheers
Ray
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 11:59 am
by dangerboy
See above!
Re: Series II Solex/Weber conversion
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:01 pm
by rayhyland
Ha, I missed the second page of the thread! Yes, I will be there, Thanks!!!
Anything you need?
Ray