Solex - Why not?

[DDS]

Assessing induction options still.
You always hear of Webers and Dellortos, but never Solex in hopped-up type 4 applications. Why is that?
How do Solex 40's compare to Webers and Dells?
TIA
Dave

[chibone_914]

Hi Dave,

The solexes worked well (Early 356s), but they are very hard to come by nowadays. Spare parts are nearly nonexistant as well.

The next in line is Dellorto, a good carb but now is suffering from a similar fate. Parts are getting hard to find.

Basically that leaves the venerable Weber. Its easy to work on, easy to dial in (If you know what you're doing) and spares are plentiful.

I hope this makes sense.

John


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72'914
John@pelicanparts.com

[This message has been edited by chibone_914 (edited 08-31-2001).]

[Joe Bob]

The Solex 40s work very well. I am told they are the highest flow at wide open throtle. I have a set for sale BTW, with a lot of spare parts...

[DDS]

I'd heard that Mike. Any idea about how they'd work on a ported 2056cc with a cam? I searched on the shop talk forums and found a thread that suggested Dell 40s or Weber 44s in this application. Does the solex flow like a Dell 40 or a Weber 44?

Thanks too John. I figured it was either parts availability or availability in larger sizes that might pose a problem. Hmmmmm.



[This message has been edited by DDS (edited 09-01-2001).]

[Joe Bob]

I dunno, they are for sale for $350, including aircleaners. I have heard that ther are parts available that can tune them to any displacement...

Let me know if interested.

I can be reached at mtz1@home.com and I will be at the Germanfest in Ventura for the swap meet on September 16th...

[joncdeke]

Just a unsoliceted side note in case you're interested! I've bought many items from Mike Z. They have always been top quality and priced right!, as well as, shipped promptly!


Thanks!

Jon

[chibone_914]

One thing I didn't think of Dave. Do the solexes bolt up to either Dellorto manifolds or Weber manifolds?

Will they be compatible with what you'll be running?

Are the intake manifolds available and will they bolt up to 2 liter heads?

Will it be worth it to make your own just to bolt them on?


Just thinking out loud.

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72'914
John@pelicanparts.com

[This message has been edited by chibone_914 (edited 09-01-2001).]

[DDS]

Those are good questions John. In additon to Mikez's set, a local gentleman has a set of solexes with rebuild kits, 2.0 linkage and manifolds from a 2.0 SE that he converted back to D-jet. It apparently did work, but the linkage may have left a bit to be desired.
The immediate question is what will my final displacement be. Knowing that, I can determine the max-flow requirement and carb size. Jake Raby shared some insignt in another post about going to a 74mm stroke with the crank and rods I have, which works out to 2143cc. (I'll check the cost of the stroker crank this on Tues) I calculate that this requires a 43mm carb at 5600 RPM. Searching past posts suggest that Dell 40s or Weber 44s would do the job, but what I don't know for certain how this relates to a Solex 40.
After all is said and done my first preference would be to go with aftermarket FI using the stock runners and plenum, but cost may kill that idea.
Any other thoughts and opinions would be very welcome indeed.
Thanks.
Dave

[Joe Bob]

CB Performance has manifolds and adapters to fit most anything.

In the box of parts that I have, I also have a set of adapters on the Solex 912 manifolds for Weber carbs....why don't you contact brad@all914.com .... he has done the Solex thing.

They make manifolds and adpaters for EVERYTHING...you just have to make a few phone calls or emails to find what ya need.

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 09-02-2001).]

[stratoblaster]

Solexes have split shafts and suck to keep in tune. That is each barrel has its own shaft for the butterflys. Dels and Webers have one shaft per carb and are easier to keep in sync. If you can find Dellortos they are the way to go. Webers are good too. However, 40 Dels will outflow 44 Webers.

[Joe Bob]

Hey Junior poster....these are solid shafts. They stay in tune when you know how to set them up right in the first place.

BTW
Polite people leave their email address when they flame another poster. This post should have gone to you privately....

[chibone_914]

Yeah Dave,
I think the idea of aftermarket FI is awesome! So is the cost of the kit.

With the projected size of your motor, I'd go with Weber 40 IDFs with the big bore kit that CB Performance offers.

You could try the 44 Webers, however you might be over carbed depending on the cam profile you'll eventually use.

Have you factored in your desired power band (midrange) yet along with the gear ratios you have?

Finally, exhaust. Phew!! Now I'm getting all worked up.


I've never used a Dellorto carb set, so I couldn't tell you whether they are good to use of not.

Hope this helps,

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72'914
John@pelicanparts.com

[This message has been edited by chibone_914 (edited 09-02-2001).]

[DDS]

Thanks Stratoblaster.
Jeez Mike, I haven't seen a spanking like that since I said a six made no sense financially - revoked your Buick privileges IIRC.
Gotta chew on Jake's 74mm stroke suggestion before I commit to a carb or EFI - I'll check the cost on Tues, and see if either of my cranks are within tolerance. If they need machining anyway...
http://www.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/Forum2/HTML/003761.html
Well John, the whole idea is to take advantage of the (paid for) bigger valves and porting and 96mm pistons (same) at a minimal incremental cost. Some aftermarket FI isn't all that expensive if you consider that it incorporates ignition control as well. After using the existing D-jet, used Carbs are still the cheapest though. This whole project has been an exercise in nickel and diming myself to death.
I'll use my SS heat exchangers, adapted 911 muffler(converted to sport), stock gear ratios, etc... this engine is for street driving (weekends and goofing around and DE next year) and for resale to fund a six conversion.

Here's an interesting FI page.

http://members.home.net/jlindsay/scaffold.html
Thanks as always.



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-- Dave
Pics of my '73 project here: http://members.tripod.com/mike4g/dds73_b4pics.htm

[Joe Bob]

Good luck on the project Dave....I love dealing with clueless guys, like strato-disaster....8^)

[This message has been edited by mikez (edited 09-02-2001).]

[stratoblaster]

MikeZ you seem a little sensitive about your Solexes. I am not sure how I flamed you personally. The topic of the thread is "Solex - Why not?" I know CB does not offer any intake manifolds for Solex 40PII's. I don't think there is an adpater to mate Solex carbs to Del/Weber manifolds. I know there is an adapter to mate Del/Webers to Solex intakes. That fact alone indicates a number of people replace Solexes with Dels or Webers. You might be able to invert those adapters and use them with Del/Weber intakes. However that is kind of a "Rig". The fact is, there are no chokes, no emulsion tubes, no accel pump jets, no air correctors blah blah blah.... available for Solexes. Oh and we haven't even touched the issue of linkage, base plates, and new air cleaners. If you can offer a source for these parts I would like to know who it is. BTW those carbs are available all day long on ebay for around $200...



[This message has been edited by stratoblaster (edited 09-03-2001).]

[stratoblaster]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=594850178&r=0&t=0

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=594742605

[This message has been edited by stratoblaster (edited 09-03-2001).]

[Joe Bob]

Both of those ebay items are split shaft Solex models. Yes, they are crap.

NOW, FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED

THE ONES I HAVE
...ARE ...SOLID ....SHAFTS!!!!!!!!!

I would not buy the last glass of water off ebay.

[Roland Kunz]

Hello

Please buy the aftermarked units and leave the Solexes to the guys who need them on there 356 or 912.

If someone donīt understand why the late Solex got splitet Butterfly shafts then he deserves to make several italian V12 with Weber carbs..................


BTW the 911 Weber also had splittet shafts and Weber back then offered it to all costumers if you payed a little extra costs.

As most german Type 4 tuners run with Solex there are several Manifolds around.

Yes we germans tended to built the grap parts. At least it isnīt following the KISS principles. But nowadays the germans realized that simple things cost less and do also work.

Grüsse