[patriotmsg]

Well after sitting during my four year assignment to Germany, I finally set out to get my '73 GT started again. I changed the solenoid which fixed the starter turning with the key in the accessory position problem that I experienced. I had problems before I went to Germany with the carb so I decided to rebuild the SOLEX carb. I have electronic ignition and choke, but it doesn't matter how much I adjust the two adjusting screws, I can't get the rough idle to go away. I have to set the idle at about 1100 or 1200 RPM just to get the engine to stay on. I am not what you call a mechanical genius so I really need some help on this one. I have changed the distributor rotor and cap, plug wires, but I am ordering new plugs and they will be here in a couple of days. The choke index marks are lined up in the middle on the carb, so I don't think that that is the problem. I have also changed the fuel filter and some of the fuel lines in the engine compartment. I would appreciate any help that someone can give me. Thank you.

Dave

 

[RITTER]

Dave, have you checked all the vaccum lines? If you have and that fails it sounds almost like you might have a problem with the base of the carb or where the linkage goes into the carb, could also be valves, cam, piston rings etc. etc. . Use a can of carb cleaner spray around your carb (while engine is running) to find where the leakage is.( the engine will increase RPM's) When you have found the area resposible for leakage. If that fails knowing you have a Solex , buy a weber 38dgas or other and pitch the Solex into your favorite waste bind.

 

[patriotmsg]

Thanks, I have checked some of them, but I am thinking about just replacing all of the vacuum lines to eliminate any doubt. I have already started looking for a new or used weber. I actually looked at the 32/36 version. What is the benefit with the 38? Would you recommend any places for the carb? The cheapest price for the kit that I have seen is at the Weber online store for about 279 with free shipping. Thanks for your help.

 

[opelbits]

For a fairly stock engine the 32/36 is an excellent carb. Decent on gas and is trouble free. The 38 may be a bit much.

 

[RITTER]

Opelbits is right , out of the box a 38Dgas is going to be a bit much. I haven't heard of many being jetted correctly anyway. I had to rejet mine and calibrate it. Didn't do much good though because my solid cam has seen it's better days( entire car for that matter) I followed Rally Bob's instructions on one of the jetting threads. I bought my carb from OGTS only because I appreciate everything Gill has done and offered me in the past. If money matters most though I am sure you can find a good buy on the internet no prob. (I paid $289.00) new. I can't remember off hand how much shipping was....Be wary of buying used carbs unless you know the person or trust their mechanical abilities, carb bases are pretty easy to warp or crack. You never know what your getting until you have it. It is much better to pay more for a new item than to pay twice for someone else's junk!
FWIW the 2nd carb that was on my car was a 32/36 and I could definetely tell a difference in not only response but balls as well, when I changed to a 38dgas. I get 22 MPG city not bad for 422 gears. Don't ask about highway it's scary!