Solex

So I rebuilt the carter on my son's '59 F head, but it was a remanufactured carb, and the throttle shaft is very worn, and the seat for the accelerator check valve is in bad shape from the body being media blasted. Anyway, I decided to try the Solex that all the normal vendors sell. There isn't a single number or marking on the carb. Is there a model number for this carb so I can get some specs, adjustment procedures, and find a source for jets? Thanks guys

 

IIRC there's two basic part numbers - one for the F-head and the other for the L-head. Mine came with instructions, but its was basically a bolt-on and go. Worked great at sea-level and 8000 feet.

It was a great replacement for my 40 year old 3x rebuilt YF.

 

As far as I know they just list them for the F-head or the L-head. Tomorrow I can see what I kept from the one I bought if you like. Rebuild kits just go by F-head or L-head. I don't remember seeing a number anywhere on the carb.

 

As Joel mentioned it's pretty much bolt on and go. Maybe adjust the idle air screw.

 

OK then..I was assuming I'd have to jet it for the altitude here. And I ordered a Holley fuel pressure regulator. I've read some folks say it doesn't need it, and I've read some say it's required. Either way, it certainly can't hurt, right? Thanks guys.

 

I thought about trying one on the flatty, but I've read many people saying the WO is far better for that. I did get the WO rebuilt and adjusted so it runs very well. (with the exception of boiling fuel in the bowl after it's shut off when hot outside, but I blame that on the ethanol in the fuel).

 

OK, should I go ahead and use the regulator? Or try it without?

 

Personally I have no idea if it would need re-jetting for the altitude. It's obviously no issue here unless we get below sea level which would be a different matter yet. I guess you are saying you have ordered a new one then?

 

Since you ordered it go ahead and use it. You installing a gauge too?

 

Yes, the regulator will be here tomorrow. The carb is in hand. My first inclination is to install a gauge, but not sure it's necessary. Just adjust until it runs right. Although, if it is needed, it might be nice to know what pressure it likes.

 

This'n here
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hly-12-804

I tried the cheaper dial type on the '67, and had 3 or 4 that leaked.

 

Same here, I had several that poured gas on the engine and I didn't like that. Right now both F-heads have Solex carbs and neither have regulators and I have regular fuel pumps.

Do you have regular fuel pumps? If nothing else at least put a gauge in line to check the fuel pressure.

 

Yeah, it's currently got one of the Crown pumps with the two chamber glass bowl. It needed a pump when we bought it, and I had that pump NIB on the shelf. I have checked two of those pumps, and they put out a steady 4.5 PSI.

 

I think that's the one I have that I bought from Kaiser Willys, tried it with an electric fuel pump and had couldn't lower the discharge pressure low enough. I had tried an electric pump on a whim, basically as an experiment.

 

Did you see the pictures of the ones we posted that fell apart? Several of us at least had them just break. The diaphragm from the Crown pumps works on the original equipment pumps so that's what I'm using for now. I can't help but wonder if others have had trouble with them.

Unless of course the junk we got wasn't through Crown but look the same, that I don't know.

 

So the Holley regulator wouldn't drop the pressure enough from the electric pump?

 

No it wouldn't and I never did figure out exactly what the problem was. I'll try to remember tomorrow to see if I still have it. Obviously not a lot to it but I couldn't pinpoint what was the matter with it.

 

I hope it will lower the mechanical pump's 4.5 PSI, if need be. I think I will install it, since I bought it. I did make my kid pay for the carburetor though..

 

Just like anything else mine could have been a faulty assembly, hope yours works correctly. The fuel pump thread started on July 13th in case you missed it, just to give you a heads up.

 

I will look..