Which engine and Carb you have - Solex to Pierburg swap

[kevtherev]

You're right, they appeared at the same time irc

[Smiffo]

Had my new bleeder rail turn up, and all fitted..!!

Did this last night - in the dark - so this morning I am going to go straight for the bleeding of the system now.
I found the follwoing link to explain how to do it, and it's from Monsieur Baxter, so that is the method I am going to follow.
Especially as it doesn't involve jacking the van up..!!

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/bleed ... 29710.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I will let you know how I go, and follow up with any questions or progress.
The only bit I am not 100% sure of at the moment, is how much coolant was left in the system - bearing in mind I have completely renewed the steel coolant pipes underneath.

Working on the theory that there may be some left, I want to know if it matters if there is slightly more anti-freeze in total?

i.e. if some is left, and I add another 8 before putting water in, will the slightly above 50:50 mix be an issue?
Failing that I could just go with 7litres of antifreeze....

[Smiffo]

Well, I seem to be done..!!

Bled the system as much as I could, although it doesn't seem like I put 16 litres in...
Went for a drive, and I am over the moon..!!
No leaks - coolant or fuel - and the carb seems to run well too ( but I have only the old Solex in comparison, and have no idea how good or poor that was in respect to how it should be. )

Either way, it is far more responsive, better pull under acceleration, and doesn't pull back any where as much as the old set-up did when coming off the throttle.
Feels like a different van now and makes the long hard slog worth-while.

I need to make sure I keep an eye on the coolant levels over the next few days I think.
I am sceptical about all of the air being out the system, but it doesn't get too hot and the fan is kicking in as it should too.

Once I have it running with no issues for a month or so, I will decide what to do about the choke problem ( I think. )

So anyone else thinking about doing this will need to factor in (over and above the carb and inlet manifold), the coolant system, different wiring configuration, throttle cable and any issues you may come across while doing those. Once I started I just kept finding more problems with the existing set-up. ( Maybe I just don't know when to stop )

I want to pass on my thanks to everyone who had input in this - you all made this bearable and possible.

2 questions:

1 - What is an old Solex worth, keeping in mind I would only want to sell it as an example that needs refurbing?
2 - Part of the air filter is missing ( the bit that goes from the filer to the bottom right corner of the engine bay. ) Is that much of an issue?
( I don't want to be sucking crud into the carb now I have come this far..!! )

I will post a pic of the offending part if needed.
First I am going back out for a spin

[itchyfeet]

Solex will make a good door stop and your airfilter stops muck going into carb, I haven't had any pipe on my airfilter for many years.

Well done, always good to hear a success story

[Smiffo]

Solex will make a good door stop and your airfilter stops muck going into carb, I haven't had any pipe on my airfilter for many years.

Well done, always good to hear a success story

Well if the wind changes, I may get stuck with this stupid grin on my face..!!
Does it count as wind if you just drive with the window open.!!??

Point taken on the Solex - I'm going to take it apart for a laugh. if it's worth little... See the `Gubbins` and `what-not.`
If I leave any more bits of T25 lying around the house, I think my misses will tear me a new a*** hole..!!

[itchyfeet]

Stick the solex up on ebay, somebody will have a df.

Engine bay porn pics? not those close ups, zoom out so we can enjoy the view

[Smiffo]

Before...



After...



New tank:



New steel pipes:



If you want to ask what that purple pipe is at the back of the engine bay, it's the bleeder rail - a translucent plastic one from VW heritage - that I fitted after snapping an inlet off on the old one... It's purple as you can see the coolant in there.
I broke a couple of plastic clips that hold it in place too, so it sticks out like that until I get some more.
( That can wait for the moment though. For now I am just happy it's back on the road..!! )
I clearly need to be far more careful....

Next on the list is a new exhaust system.
Mine has started blowing a bit, and will need doing for the MOT next month.
had a gander at the exhaust studs and they look like they can from the Titanic herself. That will deffo be a garage job though - you aren't talking into doing that myself.!!

[Smiffo]

Oh, and here is `some` of the leftovers...
( This can neither be sold, given away, allowed in the house or fit in the bin..!! )



Here were the old breather pipes that were on the old tank:



And here is that bit that's missing - I mentioned earlier:



Just some cable tying of the odd wire, and those coolant hose clips for the bleeder rail, and I will be happy with it.
( For now )

[itchyfeet]

looking good, worth checking fuel pipe clips too for leaks over the next week or two.

[Smiffo]

looking good, worth checking fuel pipe clips too for leaks over the next week or two.

Will do Itchy

[Smiffo]

Update

Well fuel lines still seem OK.

Been out pottering about today - driving round flashing my lights, waving and grinning at two T25's who drove straight past in a dream world...
I almost had to squirt the windows to make it look like I pulled the wrong stalk

Popped back out to have a marvel at the work of art that is on my drive, and if I couldn't have predicted it more accurately myself, there was a small leak....
Oddly not from any of the hoses, pipes or thermostat housing I changed, but from the radiator connections.

Taking the lower grill off, and crawling underneath ( I spend more time led on the floor than a homeless dude ) it looks like it is coming from the return hose where it joins the radiator. I am hoping I have just disturbed it while wiggling the other end onto the steel pipes.
They aren't in the best condition though. I should have just changed them for how little they cost...

On a plus note - the Carb is running sweet once the van has warmed up.
I had to keep revving it a bit once it was started this morning, but before I got to the tip with my rejected parts, it was awesome.

Before this week I would have thought Subaru was the way to go, but this set-up is plenty for what I need.
Still smiling - minor set-back or not..!!

[seanmc1970a]

Just a quick thanks for the thread its helped me a great deal over the last couple of days.
Good work Smiffo and thanks Itchy for sharing you pics and knowledge

[Smiffo]

Just a quick thanks for the thread its helped me a great deal over the last couple of days.
Good work Smiffo and thanks Itchy for sharing you pics and knowledge

No problem Sean.
Out of interest, what work did you do, or are planning to do?

Solex to Pierburg?
Steel pipes?

If it work complete in progress, start a thread and post some pics..!!

[itchyfeet]

Just a quick thanks for the thread its helped me a great deal over the last couple of days.
Good work Smiffo and thanks Itchy for sharing you pics and knowledge

I love to read and share knoledge, I have 000's of pics happy to share.
Some people are very receptive like smiffo, some people find it hard to be told anything

You have to be careful not to sound arrogant or condecending, I try but don't always get it right

[seanmc1970a]

My vans been running rough since I bought it last April and the body work and welding has taken up my time so far.
The choke hasn't been working right and the electrics to the Part Load duct heater/ Choke / Bypass cut off valve has been botched, with wires joined where they shouldn't have been and all stuck together with insulation tape. looking at it made me wonder how it even started.....well lots of throttle was usually needed.
Turned out the auto choke was set badly and no power to the heater. Bypass cut off valve had a part corroded connector and the difference is amazing.
Every day really is a learning with these vans.