twin or single carbs - solex or weber

[smudge384]

Two months ago I brought a 1981 T25 (T3) Danbury camper.....its fitted with the original 1970cc air-cooled engine with just over 94,000 mile on the clock. The problem I have, and hopefully theres someone out there that can point me in the right direction, is starting the engine from cold ! When I first got it (I must add that it came with ALL its service records, repairs and MOT's) it wasn't running to well so the first thing to do was to put it in for a complete service (although it had been serviced by Halfords just previous to me buying it) and checked over by a valid Volkswagen service garage. It had been fitted with twin Weber carbs by its last owner but they had not been tuned correctly so, having that rectified, I assumed the starting problem would be cured.....but its not. It would seem that because there is no facility on the carbs for either a manual or auto choke, starting the engine is a pain. The original Solex carbs came in a box with the vehicle. My question is.....do I persist with the way it is, do I refurb the Solex carbs and put them back on or do I, can I, fit a single carb with either a manual or auto choke ?This final option of fitting a single carb begs another question....would it be better to fit a twin-down draught or a single ? as perforance would be down from the twin carbs.

[mike9009]

Hi

About 12 months ago I went from twin Solex to twin Weber. The lack of choke does mean pumping the throttle a few times whilst cranking the engine - but it should start after about five turns.....

The beauty is the extra oomph the new carbs gave over my original twin Solex setup.

If you are unhappy I would look at refurbing the twin Solex carbs, which I did consider but I was advised it does not always give good overall performance (others on here have suggested otherwise though)

Mike

[mr_nunn]

Very happy with the way mine runs since getting the original twin solexes refurbished (done by Gasure in the NW). Though I haven't had the other setups you mention to compare.

[smudge384]

Many thanks for the replies to my carb query, I have no problem once it's started, it runs perfectly, much better than I expected and drives suprisingly well ............it's just the starting, I don't want to get stuck anywhere. Thanks again, I'll try what's been suggested......

[mr_nunn]

Are you sure it is the lack of choke (weather hasn't been all that cold) and not eg a starter motor or battery issue? My starting is hit and miss and I'm convinced the starter motor is past its best and/or the starter motor bushing is binding - on my list to sort...

[mike9009]

Are you sure it is the lack of choke (weather hasn't been all that cold) and not eg a starter motor or battery issue? My starting is hit and miss and I'm convinced the starter motor is past its best and/or the starter motor bushing is binding - on my list to sort...

This is a good point too. I bought a new battery last winter with greater Ah and cranking power just to help any potential issues. And I have no issues or worries starting my van with the twin Webers. Also allows me to use the 12V circuit when not running with a little more confidence (I don't have a leisure battery set-up)


Mike