Weber carb -- rather OT, but would appreciate any advice

[FastWoman]

Hi everyone,

OK, we must be nuts, but there's a little 1976 Triumph Spitfire 1500 that we're considering buying. It's a resto project that had caused a major fight between the owner and his wife. (Must go, sacrifice, etc.) We used to have our BMW Z3 roadster, and my partner sorely misses having a convertable. Anyway this would fill that niche.

To my question:

The original Zenith-Stromberg carb was ditched and replaced with a Weber. I don't know what kind of Weber. It appears to be a down-draft (perhaps 32/36 DGEV) from the poorly detailed photo, but it could almost as easily be a side draft.

I assume whether this car runs well or not will depend mostly on the carburetor. A lot of you guys run Webers, so I'm hoping you can tell me a bit about them. Is there anything I should know about Weber carburetors in the consideration of this purchase? Are any models dogs? Are they a pain to rebuild? Finicky? Hard to tune? Any problems to be aware of? Is there an convenient way to drain these carburetors before letting the car sit?

BTW, my apologies for asking this question on a Z forum, but I already know you guys. I don't know any Triumph guys. I promise if we buy this car that I'll pose future questions on a Spitfire forum!

Edited November 21, 2010 by FastWoman

[cygnusx1]

Webers are great if you find someone that knows how to set them up PROPERLY. It's kind of a breed of its own, so a guy that is good with Holley's or SU's is not necessarily good with Webers. Once they are setup right, they are great, not finicky, and work very smoothly. I don't think there are any Webers that should be avoided in particular. Care and maintenance is the same as any other carb. I don't think they have drains built into them. The side-drafts do have a small cover on the bottom which is held on with four screws. That, if removed, would dump fuel.

[FastWoman]

Thanks, Dave. I know a carburetor specialist just down the road who can probably set it up for me. (Even better, he's a British sportscar hobbyist.) Then after he sets it up, I suppose all I have to do is keep it clean. Right? I can live with that.

[cygnusx1]

A good fuel filter, air filter, and regular use, are the best things for carbs.

[torker]

I know that someone put those exact carbs on my sons car and they have been rock solid. And this whole car/engine was trashed/filthy when we got it but that motor always fires right up. Only thing is when the car sits more than a week it is like they dry out. I have to run the fuel pump till it stops and pump the heck out of it. If I drive it every day it is perfect ??

[Bruce Palmer]

Thanks, Dave. I know a carburetor specialist just down the road who can probably set it up for me. (Even better, he's a British sportscar hobbyist.) Then after he sets it up, I suppose all I have to do is keep it clean. Right? I can live with that.

Well, there ya go....a guy just down the road that can help. Another side benefit will be that he can sell you off smaller quantities of kitty litter from the pallet loads he must assuradely be buying now for his "leakers". LOOK OUT HERE COMES ARN TO THE RESCUE OF THE BRITS

[Z train]

Webers are great if you find someone that knows how to set them up PROPERLY. It's kind of a breed of its own, so a guy that is good with Holley's or SU's is not necessarily good with Webers.

What he said.I have one on my Wifes 620.I won't even attempt it.I did find someone who's good and the thing is damn near perfect.THe AFR stays about the same from off idle to 5500 rpm.

[FastWoman]

Thanks, guys! I will at least have confidence in Weber carbs going forward.

It turns out the Spitfire was a bit of a heap. The deal breaker for me was that it had a performance cam and that this mod couldn't be easily undone -- not an OHC engine. I had asked the guy whether it idled smoothly, and he said it sounds like a sewing machine. The truth is that it lopes and will die below maybe 1000 RPM. It seems to like to idle (poorly) at 1200 RPM. AFR smells about right. It's just that dumb cam.

Other than that, the "new" brakes leaked out all of his brake fluid in the driveway. (There's your leak, Bruce!) Moreover the car wouldn't roll because the front right caliper was inexplicably locked down on the rotor like a vice. I could spin a rear wheel, and the car wouldn't move. At least we got to see a Spit up close and personal and know what to look for the next time around. Cute car and infinitely easier to service than just about any other car I've seen. Looks like a great little weekend car.

But hey, the Spit was the perfect excuse to take a very long drive through the country in my Z, which ran flawlessly. (Perfect read on the plugs, BTW.) The 280 is the best road car I've ever driven -- both this one and the '75 before it. Happy, happy!

Edited November 22, 2010 by FastWoman

[Z train]

English cars will make your teeth fall out antways.