Early Solex carbs

[Rick Cabell]

As we all have read, Porsche switched to Weber carbs early in the 66 model year. Does anyone have a Solex powered 911 that has been sorted out? We have learned alot about carbs since the 60's. Has the problem been identified and a cure been discovered? I have been told several reasons for why the Solex's didn't work well. Jetting, casting problems....... Does anyone know the facts?

[jashford]

Rick, What are the problems you refer to? Must be streetability cause what I remember is that alot of early racers preferred them to webers. Said they made more power. I've got a set that came as spares with a car I bought back in the 70's but I've never tried to make them work. I've always thought it would be interesting to put them on a car and play with them but it seems there is always something with a higher priority.

Best,
John

[NeunElf]

Well, I have a '65 with its original carburetors. They seem to be sorted out.

I've heard two reasons for Porsche switching to Weber carbs:

1. Casting Problems

2. Flat spotting around 2,500 rpm.

If you check your little early 911 spec book, you'll find three different jet combinations. One story is that the third set solved the flat-spot, but Porsche had already comitted to change.

Bruce Anderson (well somebody-I think it was Bruce) said Porsche failed to rejet American bound cars for the specific gravity, density, etc. of American fuel. Early volumes of Upfixin der Porsche talk about 356s having trouble with American fuel. Back then it was attributed to our octane being too high...ah, the good old days.

My car might flat-spot at 2,500 rpm but it has no detectable torque below 3,000 rpm, so who cares. I managed to tune my car at least once. The Solexes have virtually no moving parts, so they haven't given me reason to try again.

[glaverbel911]

The problem was fuel percolation causing leanout and holed piston's.

Robert.

[Rick Cabell]

I hate flat spots. That's what I have heard.
Rob, is there a fix to this problem? Yes, the racers probably like them as they actually put out more power.

[glaverbel911]

Jens,, those are not the same carb's..

Robert.

[Rick Cabell]

Tom,
I just read your reply on the glass........
What was the "fix" for the carbs?

[roblav]

Whew - talk about ransacking the Kings English on that MM site. Sure, I'd be a happy consumer of their products and services.

[roblav]

The Solexes provide a straighter shot than the Webers into the intake ports. They look like neat carbs, but too bad I won't be experimenting with them since I sold my 66 car.

[silverc4s]

I recall reading somewhere, (Forever Young, perhaps?) that the Solex carbs were in the process of being sorted, when a sharp sales rep for Weber sold the Porsche purchasing dept. on the carb they had designed for the Lancia V6, cutting under Solex pricing. The reason the bore centers on the Weber are as they are is to match up with the Lancia V6 inlet port spacing.

By the time the Solex problems were eliminated, purchasing had already closed the door. who of us hasn't had a similar experience??

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