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Solex And Thermostat Questions

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by DanStew, Jul 29, 2017.

  1. Jul 29, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I drove the Jeep for the first time on the main roads. I still have nasty thump in a wheel like it is way out of balance or has a flatspot, but that is not my issue.

    The jeep runs fine. Since it is a Solex i have to start with full choke. After it warms up for about 30 seconds i can drive. I drove it about 2 miles on half choke, just because i forgot to put it all the way in. I parked and had dinner. I came back out and the Jeep started up just fine with choke out. I drove away. A bit down the road i pushed the choke all the way in and i noticed when i put the jeep in nuetral it died. I pulled the choke out and it started right up. I got home and when i put the jeep in the garage i pushed the choke in and the engine just died.

    Just trying to figure out why this would do that. Everything works fine and drive nice. I did notice that the Solex loses fuel in the bowl after about 4 days.


    Also what temperature is the thermostat usually for the Lhead? I did not change my thermostat and i saw the temp gauge stays at 200. I was scared at first to see if it went higher to overheat, but it stays right at 200.
     
  2. Jul 30, 2017
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    200 is probably a bit high for the Lhead. I think the stock is supposed to be around 160?

    I would check and see if you have a vacuum leak.
     
  3. Jul 30, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    x2
     
  4. Jul 30, 2017
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    Since my Jeep was at the pro shop the guys is accustomed to old cars (and farm machines) I start with the help of choke then I push it after 10 seconds/20 seconds and use the hand accelerator, at minimum, to have the engine running.
    When engine is hot and weather not cold, I don't need the choke afterwards to re-start.
    He just adjusted the Solex as needed, nothing else.
    You maybe should clean your carb and re-adjust your Solex carb.
    Oc course my spark plugs were correct.
    You can also adjust the timing, turning the Delco but just working on the carb should be good.
    The fact is that I am not a pro and not expert in adjusting a carburetor.
    So I let it to the pro and it works.
    This is my experience, after lot of time trying to adjust the carb.
    What I did with the help of our great forum is clean my carb. It was very successful.
     
  5. Jul 30, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    X3 on the vacuum leak. Is the air adjustment screw loose. Are you saying it just won't idle? Is it as simple as the idle speed adjustment screw?
     
  6. Aug 3, 2017
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    Sounds like I read 'warm engine dies on full choke' at idle.

    I would expect it to run like a turd (way too rich) and may be smoke or smell like unburned fuel, but not necessarily die.

    Most small yard motors I have once they are warm that sill have chokes will not run on full choke. This is how I shut off one of our Wisconsin motors.
     
  7. Aug 3, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    It is reversed. It will die when choke is off. I have to keep it at about half choke for it to stay running.
    I havnt been able to play with the jeep this week.
    I have been thinking about vacuum leaks and trying to think of locations.
    I know i cant get a good grip with a wrench on the bottom two center bolts on the intake. The bolts are "tight" but i dont think i have them tight enough.
    The carb gasket is new and the rivets have been drilled out. Other than that I do not have another other places for a vaccum leak. The port on the intake for the vacuum wipers is capped off with a plug.
     
  8. Aug 3, 2017
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Chico CA
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    when you set the screws for your air intake (idle circuit / running circuit), did you do it by 'ear' or did you use a vacuum gauge? I think I recall once not having enough air / or too much air to cause a similar prob, could it be too lean to run?

    I dunno, just waxing an idea, I don't have a solex, but I do have a solar-plexus, and is a little off right now, might need a nexium to fix it...
     
  9. Aug 3, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I did it by ear. At first i had the gauge on there but that was a while ago when i first got the rig started. i never went back to tune it that way, i did it by ear
     
    Scott G. likes this.
  10. Aug 3, 2017
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    So you are saying with the choke off it just dies even if you try revving it? Won't even idle? It actually sounds more like a carb issue to me.
     
  11. Aug 4, 2017
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    I can rev it, but i need to keep foot on pedal. But if i didnt have a foot on the gas, it died. RPMs were at 700 when i set it.
     
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