Weber Changeover

[ron69912t]

I removed the old Solex's and intake manifold studs. Installed the PMO adapter plates and new studs. I was planning on using the cold start option choke on the Weber 40IDF's but discovered one of the bolt heads that hold the throttle linkage to the fan housing on the right side of the car will the interfere with the choke housing and prevent the carb from sitting flat on the adapter plate. Rather than remove the bolt I removed the choke assembly and placed the kit cover plate over the choke cavity, now the right side carb can sit flat on tyhe manifold.

The left side carb has enough clearance at the fan housing to leave the choke housing on the carb which I did. Just in case I need to use it in the winter.

The inside front stud on the Webers is a bear to get the nut on. I tried every thing I could think of and finally resorted to using one finger on both hands to put the nut on the stud and start it. Then I could use a 12 point 10mm box wrench with small strokes to tighten the nut. Of course I dropped both nuts and had to use a mirror to find and retreive them, Murph's Law at work.

I was schocked at how quickly the engine started up. It ran almost perfectly at the start. I adjusted the air, mix & idle speed, something I could not do to my unresponsive Solex's.

Took her for a drive! It was like a different car..no popping, sputtering and lots of low end torque. I could even stop at a light and let the engine idle at 900 rpm without pumping the throttle. First gear is now my favorite, used to hate it. Nice jerk free acceleration from a stop. No more killing the engine at a light and having people drive around me.

The real test will come next Saturday when I take the car for the State of Illinois Emissions Test and pass it.

If you have Solex problems as I did I strongly recommend a switch to Webers for pleasurable driving.

Thanks,
Ron D

[ron69912t]

One more requirement with the Weber changeover. There was not enough spring force with the Weber throttle return springs on both carbs so I had to add another spring to insure the throttles always returned to the idle screw stop.

Works great with no noticible extra gas pedal effort.

Ron