Solex.

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  • TedW
    5th Gear
    • Feb 2007
    • 887

    Solex.

    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
    Overdrive
    • Nov 2006
    • 1087

    #2
    Originally posted by 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.
    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.
    -

    Teriann Wakeman_________
    Flagstaff, AZ.




    1960 Land Rover Dormobile, owned since 1978

    My Land Rover web site

    Comment

    • TedW
      5th Gear
      • Feb 2007
      • 887

      #3
      Originally posted by TeriAnn
      A Solex on a 1970?
      Yup. Thanks to a PO, I suppose.

      Comment

      • Terrys
        Overdrive
        • May 2007
        • 1382

        #4
        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.

        Comment

        • stonefox
          4th Gear
          • Jul 2010
          • 450

          #5
          George at Rovers Down South has rebuilt Solex carbs.
          Sean
          ---------------------------------------------------------------

          1963 88'' IIa daily driver
          1970 88"
          1971 88"
          authenticstoneworks.com

          Comment

          • TedW
            5th Gear
            • Feb 2007
            • 887

            #6
            Originally posted by Terrys
            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.

            Comment

            • IIA
              1st Gear
              • Apr 2010
              • 158

              #7
              Solex

              Originally posted by TeriAnn
              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
              1970 Series IIA
              1964 Series IIA [sold]

              Comment

              • Eric W S
                5th Gear
                • Dec 2006
                • 609

                #8
                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.

                Comment

                • jac04
                  Overdrive
                  • Feb 2007
                  • 1884

                  #9
                  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:

                  Comment

                  • junkyddog11
                    1st Gear
                    • Feb 2007
                    • 195

                    #10
                    Originally posted by stonefox
                    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.
                    Matt Browne
                    www.overlandengineering.com
                    "resurecting junk through engineering"

                    Comment

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