Webber Carb, need help

[PininF]

I have recently purchased a 1979 Spider with stock standard 28/32 Carb,
Ive taken the car to a local mechanic for a complete check on road worthiness, safety and engine tune.
After accessing the engine and last service sticker (2002 with 21000 km) the car has been garaged and not driven for 10 years

He has recommended to get the carb serviced as it leaks fuel, is this worth doing ?
or should I just bite the bullet and replace it with a 34ADF , a 40mm or dual carbs ?
Im not worried about fuel consumption as this is for hobby only, would just like to get the best performance.

Cheers
John.

[bobplyler]

I would recommend the 32-36 DFEV. I know for a fact that replacing the stock carb will make a big difference. I have a 32-36 DFAV, which is the same carb but with a water choke instead of a electric choke. You will need about 1 inches of spacer.

[Danno]

I'd say it depends on where you are going in the future. 32 ADFAs are easy to come by and fairly cheap. they will provide just about all the fuel you need with a stock engine and are very reliable (I have this with a single plane intake).

NOW, if you plan on doing more to your engine performance-wise in the future, then go a little bigger. 32/36 (like suggested above) would be a great setup for an engine with an 1800 head and better exhaust system than our stock 4-1.

Those are kinda the easy and simple routes to a well running spider. If you want something more complex that makes people say "Holy Crap, dude!" then we can offer some of those ideas, too. they are gonna be pricey, though!

[Danno]

I'd like to modify my statement about the 32/36 to indicate that it would be great for a non-improved engine, too, but you'll get more out of it with some more mods. Might not be worth the extra money if you don't use it to it's full potential, but it will still be better than the 32 ADFA that I have.


Is there anybody running bigger than 36 on a STOCK(ish) engine? Just wondered what carb you came from and how much improvement you noticed over a 32 or 34?

I know we have people running quite large carbs, but it's been my experience that most of those people are also making other mods to their engines to take advantage of the bigger carbs.

[PininF]

Just got an email from Matt at Vick auto, He is thinking I should go with the new 38/38 any feedback on these ?
I will be doing mods on the car so the dual set is also an option but more $$$.

Thanks guys really appreciate the feedback
Cheers
John

[BEEK]

if the 38/38 opens both barrels at the same time, you will suffer some drivability and fuel economy will go way down. the fun factor will go way up, it will kick you in the seat of the pants, including the wallet when you open it up. you will need a single plane intake, opened up so the butterflys dont hit. all easy to do. if you are going to modify the rest of the engine, including high compression, and camshafts, and a big valve head the 38 carb will do you good there

[vandor]

Regardless of which single carb you use, you will have to replace the intake manifold with one from an 1800, otherwise performance mods will not be effective.

[So Cal Mark]

We've put on some 38/38 carbs with mostly good results. I wouldn't recommend it for a stock engine though. There is a short learning curve because you have to drive it differently, even if your engine has some mods to it. Most of our customers have loved it, but one didn't like it at all and had us swap it for a 32/36 carb.

[PininF]

Thanks guys,
But find it all very confusing with so many options.

The engine is in serious need of a complete overhaul and cleanup so I thought may as well get stuck into it with mods rather than spending $$$ on repairs and replacement parts.
Would like to mention that I am not engine savvy so theres nothing i could do myself

The car is currently under going an complete overhaul of the front and rear under carriage with almost everything being replaced with new so the engine is next on the agenda so may as well do it right with no regrets.

Cheers
John

[vandor]

John,

Most of the hi-po parts are external, or sort-of external (like cams) bolt-ons, so they have nothing to do with the engine rebuild.
The only hi-po part that is included in the rebuild are high-compression pistons, but since those are the only ones available nowadays you don't have a choice - you can only go hi-po
If I were you I'd rebuild the engine and while you do that you can decide what other hi-po parts you want.

For the carb your choices are single 32/36, 36/36 (we have one left), 38/38, or dual 40IDFs.
If you are not a tinkerer I would not get the IDFs.

If you have more money to spend you can improve the exhaust and add cams. If your current exhaust has a 4 into 2 type then it will be fine with stock cams and a 32/36 carb.