I have been following your project for quite a while and must say that I am impressed with the quality and thoroughness of your work.
This summer I have been working on installing 40 IDFs on the 2L 130 Strada Abarth engine in my 1974 Spider. Based on advice from several knowledgeable people on the internet I bought 2 new “Made in Spain” Webers. But the big challenge has been to find a suitable inlet manifold. First I got a cast aluminum manifold from Italy, but that placed the carbs way too close to each other. Then I got one from Mark Allison, which solved the problem with the carbs being too close. The carbs fit perfectly next to each other with no modifications necessary. But it placed the carbs so close to the cam towers that there was not enough room for the cold start devices. In addition, I was disappointed with the fit and quality.
But as far as I can see, you have found a solution that works, and I suppose that the 44IDF body is the same size as the 40IDF body. Which inlet manifold are you using? From the very clear and descriptive photos you have posted, it seems like the only modifications you have made to fit and link the carbs together, where the two throttle spindles meet, is to remove all washers and only install the linkage connecting the carbs. It also looks like the two nuts have been ground down to about half thickness. What is the distance between the two middle studs on your manifold? From the photos it looks like your manifold would give plenty space for my cold start devices. One thing that worries me a little though, is that it looks like the carbs are tilting away from the engine slightly. Wouldn’t that affect how the carbs work? Or is it an optical illusion?
How did your manifold fit the ports in the head? The ports in my head fit perfectly with the holes in the gasket and I would expect the ports in the manifold to do so too. Is that an unreasonable expectation?
I am also having a challenge with linkage. I have been planning on making it like Kendickson suggests here,
http://www.kendickson.com/car/idf/idf/index.html, but there are several problems with that. Your car is a later version than mine so, as far as I know, your gas pedal is linked to the carbs with a cable that exits the firewall near the brake booster somewhere. Do you, or someone else on the forum know, if it would be a good idea to install the later version gas pedal in my car? How are you planning on doing your throttle linkage?
My car is in hibernation now, so I have lots of time to work on a good solution before spring. From your photos it looks like the weather in Florida is good enough to keep your Spiders on the road year round. Lucky you
like a ferrari!! Ha
