[NLPTrainer]

Hi there, my first post here, and very new to all this.

I'm lucky enough to have been gifted a wonderful old petrol series 2a (with fewer than 50,000 on the clock) by an uncle, who had not run it since well before lockdown, and I need to get it running properly.

An ex-REME friend of mine helped me set the timing (which was all to pot), clean the plugs and refit, which, on his recommendation, I'll replace along with the HT leads and the points.

We managed to get it running well with the choke out, which is a start.

Then, as it would not idle, we stripped back the carb (a Zenith), cleaned the jets, and rebuilt it. It still only runs with the choke at least partly out. My friend's recommendation was to swap out the Zenith for a new Solex carb. Having read some of the threads about carbs here, I now have the question...

Which carb would you recommend?

1. A new Zenith

2. A new Solex

3. A new Weber
or
4. Another new carb

5. Refurbish and rebuild the old Zenith
or
6. Another recommendation

Looking forward to reading your responses.

Thank you in anticpation.

 

[Anaconda]

Welcome to the forum.
I would suggest a Webber is the most affordable option.
Rebuilt carbs are pretty expensive last time I looked.
Don't be tempted by the Chinese Zenith, we had one and it was total rubbish. We then got a good 2nd hand Zenith which lasted a few years, which was replaced by a Webber when it gave up.
Would be nice to see some photos when you have time.

 

[NLPTrainer]

Thanks Anaconda, much appreciated. I was erring on the side of the Webber and nice to have it confirmed.

I'll post some photos soon.

 

[kermit_rr]

Mine had a solex on it when i got it.. it was awful..
I mean.. it was ok.. but lacked torque.
I put an SU on it and it was awesome, much better than other landies I've had with Weber or zenith on. the engine is really smooth and quiet.
The Webber was good but liked a drink and seemed noisy

 

[Wildefalcon]

A Glencoyne ethanol modified zenith copy from eBay. Keeps it simple.

 

[NLPTrainer]

Mine had a spiked on it when i got it.. it was awful..
I mean.. it was ok.. but lacked torque.
I put an SU on it and it was awesome, much better than other landies I've had with Weber or zenith on. the engine is really smooth and quiet.
The Webber was good but liked a drink and seemed noisy

Thanks Kermit, good to know.

 

[kermit_rr]

Thanks Kermit, good to know.

I meant it had a solex on when i got it.. my auto correct gets way too excited

 

[NLPTrainer]

A Glencoyne ethanol modified zenith copy from eBay. Keeps it simple.

Thanks Wilderfalcon, I'll look into it.

 

[Anaconda]

Or you could spend some money here.

HNJ Engineering - Series Land Rover Parts - Land Rover Series SU Carburettor Adaptor Kit

 

[kermit_rr]

Or you could spend some money here.

HNJ Engineering - Series Land Rover Parts - Land Rover Series SU Carburettor Adaptor Kit

wow at the price

 

[NLPTrainer]

Or you could spend some money here.

HNJ Engineering - Series Land Rover Parts - Land Rover Series SU Carburettor Adaptor Kit

Thanks for the link, that might be a bit on the expensive side for me, it needs a lot of parts replacing, so I'm looking to get the most value out of what I spend.

 

[Anaconda]

wow at the price

Thanks for the link, that might be a bit on the expensive side for me, it needs a lot of parts replacing, so I'm looking to get the most value out of what I spend.

I know, that's why I suggested a Weber.

 

[Anaconda]

This place sell decent ignition parts.

Powerspark Ignition - Classic Car Ignition Solutions

Modern Electronic Ignition for Classic Cars. Supplying Classic Car Parts, Fuel Ignition Coils, HT Leads and much more.

simonbbc.com

 

[kermit_rr]

I know, that's why I suggested a Weber.

I made my own with a welder, piece of steel tube and a couple of thick bits of metal from the scrap metal yard

 

[marjon]

If its just a need to get it running "something like" good first.

Do the ignition side first so thats good.
Then look again.
Having to run with a little choke could be an air leak at the manifold (if all ignition side is good), or near. Are the thorrtle spindles prone to wear and leak?

I suppose what I am saying is. It should run OK if it works as standard. Narrow down the problem before spending hard earned beer tokens .

You can use 1 of those very volitile fluids in a can and spary around the inlet side, below the carb. if the revs raise its an air leak. Be carefull though.

Once you full in love with it then you can change for "improvments".

J

 

[Anaconda]

Zenith carbs are prone to warping but can be sanded flat again I do believe.
Webber carb was £120 at the time so wasn't worth faffing around, sold the worn out Zenith for rebuild.