Hello again!

It was a very long while since I last posted something. The very good reason is that since last November the old lady is in for a partial engine rebuilt, or rather a big service.

Turned out the carbs, Strombergs, are worn out. Since January, they are in the UK for a rebuild. As of today, they are on place 70 on the waiting list. Which raises the question again, Weber or not? Initially, I decided against. Now, I consider it. After all, I managed to understand the dual Strombergs, so I'll manage the Weber as well.

My problem is that the car is, after all, still primarily intended for off road use. Not often, but for things like Tunesia, Iceland and so on. So I'd reall like to have a snorkel for dust and water.

Did anyone already install a snorkel on a Weber carb? Or knows of off the shelf solutions to install one?

No rush, as I get a loaner inlet manifold and SU carbs for now. But somehow, I do tend towards the Weber, after all 1k bucks wont make much of a difference by now!

If you've got SU on now why not leave them? They are great carbs

I'd also vote for SU's if you're below 200bhp approx. They give lovely progression especially when off road and throttle sensitivity is important. The Webers don't like steep inclines or declines as the float mechanisms can lead to flooding or leaning out.
What are your expectations on BHP?

Thing is, I have to return the SUs once my Strombergs are back one day. I have no problem with the Strombergs so, but given how long it might take to get them back, and that the price difference between tge rebuild and a new Weber is just shy of 1k, well, it had me thinking...

Rangieman123 said:

I'd also vote for SU's if you're below 200bhp approx. They give lovely progression especially when off road and throttle sensitivity is important. The Webers don't like steep inclines or declines as the float mechanisms can lead to flooding or leaning out.
What are your expectations on BHP?

Click to expand...

Inclines is what I was worried about, besides an air box for a snorkel. So loaned SUs it is until I get, one day if the universe agrees, my Strombergs back

I reckon you will miss the SU's once you fit the strombergs. They're a great carburettor.

I did some digging and thinking, and I do tend towards the Weber, if the price is right. I need to talk this through with the mechanic so. From what I read oblone, and I welcome feedback from you folks, is that the Weber has less issues with inclines than a Holley. If this is true, well, a car is no submarine so I could propaly even life without a snorkel, maybe. If not, some solution can surely be built I assume.

I would stay away from any 4 barrel and having to get the jetting right and then the hassle of the snorkel matching up.
The design of the storm berg is pretty much the same as an SU. Once rebuilt you will feel the difference.

Stick with what you have.

J

I like the weber. We fitted one to my 3.5 RRC, and it came jetted correctly (ordered from rpi). I also fitted a electric dizzy which did away with the points and condenser, all round reliability was awesome, once it's set up, it never goes out of tune.
Fuel economy (with a new cam) went up to 26 mpg on a long run with a light foot (and all brakes, including handbrake, adjusted very well).
I never had a problem with fuel starvation, but it wasn't an offroader as such, did all the greenlanes in it which I do with my td5 90 now, but nothing extreme. I don't personally think you need a snorkel unless your planning on being underwater alot, and the pancake air cleaner element is easy to clean and take on and off in regards to dust...horses for courses of course.
If/when I have another 3.5, either to replace the td5 when she pops, or in a series, the first thing I'll do will be popping a weber on. Best small upgrade you can do to that engine IMHO, peace of mind and oddles of omph. It's very progressive too, so on low throttle inputs it's as responsive, if not more, than the strombergs it replaced. SU's are way better than strombergs, but I'd still have the weber over them, just so reliable.