Split shaft Solex Carburetor

merbesfield · merbesfield's Garage

I need to rebuild my split shaft Solex carbs. I cannot afford to send them to a pro like 356carbrescue. Can anyone point me towards a parts source and info on how to do it? I see Pelican sells a rebuild kit, but I don't know if it is for split shafts or if it is good quality. Thanks for the help.

carrera79 · 02-04-2010, 12:08 AM

In france I have a shop that completly rebuild a pair for 660 €, less than 1000 $ !!

fred

merbesfield · merbesfield's Garage

anyone?

C. Clark · C. Clark's Garage

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Chas.
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Rusty 356 · 02-05-2010, 03:23 PM

I'm not sure what Pelican sells, but most of the kits are the same from various vendors. You didn't mention the problems you are having with the carbs. The kits won't have any help with worn throttle shafts. Be sure you specifiy split shaft on the kits as there is a little buffer between the shafts. Stay on the board with your rebuilds and we, as a community, can walk you through any procedural issues you my not understand.

merbesfield · merbesfield's Garage

I am not sure if I have any problems as the vehicle has been sitting for 10 years and I just bought it. I am just assuming that if the carbs have sat for that long that I should rebuild them as a matter of course? I have pulled the gas tank to have it cleaned and sealed. Should I try to start the car without rebuilding them first or definitely rebuild before attempting to start?

Rusty 356 · 02-10-2010, 03:00 PM

I just brought a 64 356 from a 15 year hibernation. I started the car after some cleaning, but ended up rebuiding the Zeniths. You could pull you idle jets and mains and have a look. There is also a small fuel level inspection port that you could open and if fuel comes out when cranking then the needle and seat will need to be cleaned. If no fuel and the mains and idle jets look okay give it a crank with ignition. Stay close with a fire retardant. Where are you located?
good luck,

merbesfield · merbesfield's Garage

Rusty 356, I am located in Atlanta, GA. I am thinking maybe I will just pull the and blow them out etc. put them back on the car and give it a try. I think they should be rebuilt as a matter of course since they have sat for so long, but I would really like to know how this thing runs.

Rusty 356 · 02-11-2010, 05:09 AM

If you go through the effort to remove them you might as well have the kits ready for a rebuild. I think you can still buy the split shaft buffer pieces from Porsche. I may have a few extras if you need any and can't find them. They deteriorate with age.
Good luck and keep us posted.

confused · 02-12-2010, 09:54 AM

These things can be a pain to deal with. Single shafts can be easier. I have done more of these carbs than I can remember.

If the car has been sitting for a long time then take the carbs off, completely disassemble them, dip them in Carb dip for at least 24 hrs, buy the gaksets from Pelican or CSP- the latter has the gaskets and spacer block that you will need for the split shafts. There is a great guy named Will Pringle at CSP that will find everything for you - our host unfortunately does not offer experienced help with these particular carbs.

The best you can do on limited money is clean the carbs thoroughly with a chemical dip and put new gaskets on them. They will leak everywhere if you do not use new gaskets. Do not use sealers or glue anywhere. The shafts may leak air if they are worn, this will not stop the car from running but it will create a popping burping condition at idle that you can live with if you don't have the funds. Most of the time the carb to manifold sealing surface is warped and the carbs will need to be resurfaced. People try to compensate for this by cranking down on the carb mounting nuts or by using a thicker gasket - DO NOT DO THIS AS IT WILL ONLY MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE, use only the thin carb gaskets found in the engine gasket kits and not the base gaskets that come with the carb kits. Do not change out the Solex needle valve with the replacement as the original solex valve is much better. Proper adjustment/balance with and air flow gauge is critical to your car accelerating properly. Remember that the linkage is critical to your carbs opening at the exact moment if they are worn replace them.

Don't go driving around until you sort out any leaks, fire will ruin your day.

356 Carb Rescue's biggest advantage is properly changing the shafts and bushings, also the boring of the throats so the plates seat tight. This requires machine shop skills and experience. The rest of the work they do can be replicated by an amateur to a certain extent (although nothing can replace experience when it comes to old aged parts).

I prefer solex carbs over Webers most any day. The advantage of webers is the availability of parts and their usually much younger than the original solex units. Stock jetting on webers drastically reduces performance - every weber should be re-jetted for a 912.

merbesfield · merbesfield's Garage

I will be placing an order with Will at CSP. He has been highly recommended by several people. Once I get my list together, I will call him for parts and advice. I will definitely keep the Solex carbs.