dellortos

[christojen]

Hey guys,

I am have just discovered that i actually have dellorto DLRA40's on the 912 where i thought i had solex's.

So, my prolem is, do i try and get the dellorto's tuned properly, or do i get rid of them for something more 'conventional' such as webers or solexes. As far as i know the engine is stock so i imagine the dellorto 40's are a little much for the engine, but, i don't reallt know.

All of the previous posts i have read suggest the Dells are magic if you can ge tthem tuned, but otherwise are a massive pain in the A$$.
Harry, i hear you have dell's, what do you reckon. Remember i am in Aus and there is not the same level of knowledge floating around these parts.

If you guys think it is best, i will have em on ebay for the cost of some decent solex's if anyone wants em.

Cheers,

Chris

[Hoffman912]

many people say they are the some of the best carbs out there. some of these people are sterling on the 912bbs and a very well and trusted mechanic in the bay area, Deven walles, who even told me he really likes dellortos when we talked some problems i was having during my last road trip. he said they are some of the most reliable and easy to set up carbs he has ever used in a 912. (and this supprised me comming from deven) they arent too bad to set up and tune. people like them better than webbers because the idled very smoothly, came out of the box with the right sized venturies and jets, and were reasonably priced. the stack is on top, so its easy to remove the jets etc, with out dumping fuel all over the place.

there are some down sides to dellortos. they are no longer made, and parts are becoming harder to find. Dellortos also have a reputation of catching on fire. how valid this reputation is and how it got a bad name for this, i do not know exactly. i dont know where you have heard that they are a major pain in the ass, i havent really heard that. all carbs are a pain in the ass if not set up right or in need of a rebuild.

my own experience is that they have been quite relaible, and stay in tune when put there. what i hate about my dellortos is that they are 36s, which are too small (my biggest beef). to answer your question, 40s are the right size for a 912 engine. also mine have been getting tired in the last year, and i think might need a new accelerator pump (which is why i had some carb issues this year). i had some probs with jets clogging, but thats because of debris in the gas tank -all carbs will do that when theres dirt and rust in the gas tank (90% of 912s probably do) so thats a filter problem, not a carb problem. other than that no issues, and never had an experience with a fire or anything else. most vw guys swear by dellortos.

many people have solexes on because they are the right carbs for these cars and are correct. most porsche mechanics hate webbers and dellortos, because they know solexes best. from my own personal experience every car i have had ridden in with good solexes has run better than any car with webbers or dellortos that i have been in. because of that, and because 36s are too small, i will be going to solexes when i have my engine rebuilt. the biggest problem with solexes is their age -if they are worn or need remachined they will give you troubles (which is why all those people went to webbers). if remanufactured solexes will be like buttah... smooth.

if you need help with dells go to cbperformance.com and even call up the shop there. they are the experts, and litterally wrote the book on them.

i will be selling my dellortos soon, along with the manuals that i have for them to help fund my engine rebuild.

[typ550]

Chris, my experience with Dells has been very positive, although mine was a set of 48s that I had on a Raby 2109 Type I in a 550 Spyder replica. Jake convinced me to go with the Dells over Webers and I cannot say that I had any problems with them at all. They were very smooth and stayed in tune much better than the Webers that I have owned. My .02.

[Nige-912E]

I've heard nothing but postive results from running Del's. So much so I have installed a pair of twin 40s on my recently built 912e motor.

Having said that any carb that isn't setup properly or in need of a rebuild will cause problems.

As regards to setting on fire, I haven't heard that one, maybe they were installed on a motor running a high pressure fuel pump which made em over flow? should be no higher than 3.5 psi.

I bought my set from a guy in Italy, fully rebuilt and jetted to suit my motor, very reasonable price and I'm very impressed with them. Having said that I'm yet to install the motor and try the whole setup.

[christojen]

Hey harry,

I would be interested in the manual if you are selling that and it covers the 40's.

How much?

Chris

[Hoffman912]

i would be selling it all together most likely.. carbs, manifolds, air cleaners and manuals. they cover all sizes and models of dells