Need Solex carb adjustment help in MA...

[roundl]

Hello fellow Opelers,

I'm in need of assistance with adjusting/tuning my Solex carb (yes I know already, get a Weber). Over the last year I've done a lot of work on the l'il ol' Kadett and I'm nearing the point of registering it and getting it on the road. I considered selling it recently but decided to finish what I started and then consider selling it after I at least got it on the road. I'm from the land of fuel injection and have never tuned a carb before. I don't have the proper tools either. I was wondering if I could solicit the advise and expertise of folks on this board who are near me. If you show me how to tune the carb in return I could tune your bicycle (lots of expertise there) or other similar trade. I could help with repair of your Opel. I'm pretty handy with a wrench but not versed in the black art of carb tuning. Help me OB1, you're my only hope.

[Jeff Pozorski]

Originally Posted by roundl I'm pretty handy with a wrench but not versed in the black art of carb tuning. Help me OB1, you're my only hope.

Let go of your fears! Put the factory manual down. Let the force guide you in tuning of the Solex. The force is strong within you I sense.

PS: The force is a strongest in the Weber!

[GTJIM]

As long as your motor is essential standard the Solex will do the job - millions of Opels, BMWs & other Euro cars used them!
The carb MUST be clean and its castings unwarped - or lapped flat again.
Get a rebuild Kit from EBay or a BMW Dealer (with luck!)
Clean out all passages and ensure the carb is reassembled in standard specification. Carefully check the float setting.

Keep the FSM close beside you - and read its Carb section several times!

The only adjustments to be made are the idle mixture and idle speed - just like a Holley 4bbl ... only a bit different

A Weber still has to be 'tuned' but is far more user friendly ......

[roundl]

Jeff and Jim,

thank's for the wisdom and encouragement. I will endeavor to pick up a solex rebuild kit and hope for the best. I suspect the carb is not warped and only requires a good cleaning and adjustment. That's the optimistic side of me. It will also get me to clean my work bench. Cross your fingers.

Paul

[baz]

paul i have put this in the solex carb forum ,if you have a read of it there are 45 threads to go through(incase you dont know you can change the time frame to begining in a box in the bottom left ) but the answers are out there (bit of an X files moment there )

[Jeff Pozorski]

Paul,
Get the rebuild kit. It really isn't all that difficult. 25 years ago (god I'm getting old ) I rebuilt my first Manta's carb with ZERO, ZILCH experience. It was my only mode of transportation at the time, next to the city bus. Follow the instructions and you shouldn't have any problems.
May the force be with you

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by roundl I will endeavor to pick up a solex rebuild kit and hope for the best.

If you can't find one locally let me know, I probably still have hundreds of them.

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by RallyBob If you can't find one locally let me know, I probably still have hundreds of them.

Bob, do you have one for me too? PM me if you do.

[Gary]

Originally Posted by hallgeir Bob, do you have one for me too? PM me if you do.

PM your address to me. I have several of Bob's Solex kits. Just used one and got the Solex on my '72 purring (for now) Gotta make sure that external idle air jet is clean.

When I was at Opels on the Lawn, Ron M. showed me an old trick of replacing the plug on the secondary side with one of those jets.

[hallgeir]

Originally Posted by Gary PM your address to me. I have several of Bob's Solex kits. Just used one and got the Solex on my '72 purring (for now) Gotta make sure that external idle air jet is clean. When I was at Opels on the Lawn, Ron M. showed me an old trick of replacing the plug on the secondary side with one of those jets.

Thanks a lot Gary. I`ll PM my address as soon as I`m finished writing this. We will also find a way to send you the money for it + shipping cost.

[73_Opel_GT_Guy]

As of yesterday my solex has developed an interesting problem. It seems at idle the secondary is dripping fuel into its barrel making idle difficult or non existant. I have never seen this behavior before in any carb. Any ideas on where to start would be a great help.

[gr_diver]

I assume you mean it drips from the secondary's booster venturi, right?

If the same condition happens at the primary as well, you should sheck your float/valve system, for wrong fuel level or stuck valve...

Next, make sure that the secondary's valve is adjusted per specs. Maybe it has opened up a bit, and there is sufficient vacuum in the venturi to pull fuel out.

OR, there might be an obstruction at the linkage, that does not allow the valve to close, try to rotate the shaft by hand, and see if it goes any further towards the closed side...

HTH