Solex.

[TedW]

What are your opinions of the Solex carb? How does it perform vs. the Weber and Zenith?

My 1970 IIA came with a Solex installed. I removed it years ago when I bought the truck and have considered rebuilding it.

Just curious....thanks in advance for all responses.

Ted

[TeriAnn]

What are your opinions of the Solex carb? How does it perform vs. the Weber and Zenith?

My 1970 IIA came with a Solex installed. I removed it years ago when I bought the truck and have considered rebuilding it.


A Solex on a 1970?

A Solex is a good smooth running carb when it is in good condition. It works very well at low RPMs and off road. There is question if it flows high enough near peak RPM to deliver top HP but very few people cruise above 35-3600 RPM. So it might be just a little slower on that freeway on ramp of if you are drag racing a mid '60's VW transporter.

A worn Solex like any other worn carb never works well. The Solex used in Series trucks have long since gone NLA and a full rebuild kit can be hard to find. They are not the simplest carb to rebuild either but it is quite doable.

[TedW]

A Solex on a 1970?

Yup. Thanks to a PO, I suppose.

[Terrys]

If the PO installed the Solex, which mounts 90 degrees to a Zenith, and Weber 34ICH, Did he remove the adapter plate too? Geez, I hope not, because no one is giving them away. LR stopped using the Solex well before your truck was built, going to a 36mm Zenith, which, if in good shape is a good carb. Problem with the Zenith is warpage of the lower diecasting, causing an air leak at the joint between upper and lower.

[stonefox]

George at Rovers Down South has rebuilt Solex carbs.

[TedW]

If the PO installed the Solex, which mounts 90 degrees to a Zenith, and Weber 34ICH, Did he remove the adapter plate too?

Yes. I installed a Zenith back in '92 or so, but after about 6 months the choke mechanism siezed up and froze, so, I exchanged it for a Weber, which has run great.

[IIA]

A Solex on a 1970?

If a Solex wasn't original equipment in 1970 what was? I've got one on my 1970 IIA too. (Haven't decided to try to do the maintenance myself or send it to a prof'l).

-Andy

[Eric W S]

Zenith was OEM on 1970's. The Solex is a superior carb. RDS has the rebuild kits and the rebuilt carbs. Do yourhomework. You might have to bore out the body of the carb a bit. Common but easily doable fix.

[jac04]

I had a Solex on my 63 and I liked it a lot in terms of smoothness, especially at idle. However, I had a problem with raw fuel draining into the intake when the vehicle was shut down. I tried & tried to solve the problem, but eventually replaced the carb.

FYI there is a guy on e-Bay selling a NOS Solex:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NOS-SOLEX-CARBURETOR-S-2003-LANDROVER-SERIES-2-2A-/160545287887?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessorie s&hash=item25613eaecf

[junkyddog11]

George at Rovers Down South has rebuilt Solex carbs.

He should, I just sent him down a fish tote full of them for his stock. He sends them back to UK for rebuilding and they are as new. Great carb IMO.