Carburettor issues

[damiane]

My 1969 IIA SWB appears to have a Stromberg carburettor fitted as shown in the photos below:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/227.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/228.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/229.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/06/230.jpg

Is anyone able to identify the model/serial of this Stromberg? I hope to be able to get a rebuild kit for it if available. I gather this was a modification rather than original equipment. Various posts and manuals suggest the Series III 109" 6 cylinder had a Stromberg but no idea if this is the same type. Some sources suggest this brand of carb when fitted to Series II and IIA's came from Holden red motors (or grey according to a few sites) which should make for better chances of rebuild kits I guess.

The other issue is the top of this carburettor must sit higher than the original because the bonnet has been bashing on the top of the air cleaner intake elbow and has crushed the top as can be seen in three of the four photos. It has also dented the skin of the bonnet where it touches. There aren't any rubber buffers for the bonnet to rest on. I seem to recall my first Landy (back in the 70's) had such buffers which made the bonnet 'snug' when locked down in the latch.

The carburettor appears to sit on an adapter of some sort which I gather would raise the height. You can see it in photo #2.

Should I stick with the Stromberg? Does anyone have a tip on how to overcome the crushing of the intake elbow?

[gromit]

Damian,

Here is one fitted to my Series I.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/111.jpg (http://s1245.photobucket.com/user/cradley/media/Series%201%20with%20Welder/DSCF5244_zpsxythestj.jpg.html)



You need a Holden 'expert' to confirm the model.

When you get a kit try to get the leather accelerator pump seal not the modern plastic one, I've had 3 of them split so far the leather one lasts.

Mine has a Holden air filter heavily modified so it sits low enough to clear the bonnet.


Colin

[crackers]

Twin Webers :twisted:

Actually, I miss my twin SUs (yes, I can tune them) but I guess they're sort of wasted on one of these motors.

[damiane]

Damian,

Here is one fitted to my Series I.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/111.jpg (http://s1245.photobucket.com/user/cradley/media/Series%201%20with%20Welder/DSCF5244_zpsxythestj.jpg.html)



You need a Holden 'expert' to confirm the model.

When you get a kit try to get the leather accelerator pump seal not the modern plastic one, I've had 3 of them split so far the leather one lasts.

Mine has a Holden air filter heavily modified so it sits low enough to clear the bonnet.


Colin

So Colin I gather there must be a substantial advantage in having a Stromberg carburettor if you have to go to so much trouble to fit it under the bonnet including getting rid of the Land Rover oil bath air filtration system.

[Homestar]

Kits for these are readily available from Bursons, etc. the Stromberg kit comes with everything to do pretty much every model. Just ask for a single barrel Stromberg kit (to suit Holden, etc) and it will have what you need. Last one I bought was $21. Rebuild took 55 minutes from popping the bonnet to having the engine running again - but I've done dozens on them and had access to a proper cleaning tank.

Your carby is an early variety with atmospheric vent. As mentioned, the cheaper plastic accelerator pumps are a bit crap, but decent ones are available. Check the shaft wear on the main throttle butterfly - if it's badly worn, you'll never get it running right and a resleve will be needed. A bit of movement is fine, but if it's really flogged out, you'll need the resleve

Thinners is your best bet to quickly clean all the crud off everything. :)

[JDNSW]

The only significant advantage of Strombergs over Zenith or Solex is that they were far more common in Australia, and parts, expertise and replacements more readily available. Most were fitted to simply save money and time when the original became unserviceable.

But today carburetters of any kind are becoming uncommon, and there is possibly little advantage in changing the original except if the replacement will actually give a marked improvement.

Zeniths at least are available new.

John

[damiane]

The only significant advantage of Strombergs over Zenith or Solex is that they were far more common in Australia, and parts, expertise and replacements more readily available. Most were fitted to simply save money and time when the original became unserviceable.

But today carburetters of any kind are becoming uncommon, and there is possibly little advantage in changing the original except if the replacement will actually give a marked improvement.

Zeniths at least are available new.

John

So is worth changing back to a new Zenith John given that I imagine it would overcome the problem with the under-bonnet space and allow me to retain the original configuration.

[Blknight.aus]

Twin Webers :twisted:

Actually, I miss my twin SUs (yes, I can tune them) but I guess they're sort of wasted on one of these motors.

nothing like the sound of a pair of well balanced cd175s horfing the air in up the front at WOT with about 2200 wound on in third and the pipes bellowing down the back..

welll there is but you just cant run or inject petorl at those kind of comprssions and presures.

[marting]

Any parts interpreter who knows their stuff should be able to get the correct kit for you if you take the carby with you. The Strombergs are numbered and you can identify the correct kit from the numbers on the carby.
Cheers, Martin

[gromit]

So Colin I gather there must be a substantial advantage in having a Stromberg carburettor if you have to go to so much trouble to fit it under the bonnet including getting rid of the Land Rover oil bath air filtration system.

As already suggested, probably a period mod which was cheaper than replacing/repairing the original carby.

The Father-in-law has a theory that the original carby may have worn out because of the welder & governor. The governor would have been making constant changes to the throttle opening as the load on the welder changed. Could be true but I've no idea how often the welder was actually used.

If you saw all the other mods on this vehicle you'd think the original owner had a lot of time on his hands, to be fair he owned it for many years so the mods were spread out over a long time.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/series-i-land-rover-enthusiasts-section/159944-1956-series-1-pto-welder-home-made.html


Colin

[JDNSW]

So is worth changing back to a new Zenith John given that I imagine it would overcome the problem with the under-bonnet space and allow me to retain the original configuration.

That is what I would do. The adapter immediately above the manifold says that the original carburettor was a Zenith not a Solex (changeover was about early sixties, but there is no guarantee that a vehicle this old has the original engine).

New Zeniths are available from some of the Landrover specialists - last one I took note of was Land Vehicle Spares, but I am sure they are not the only one. I think they are made in India, which hould have no bearing on their quality.

John

[SII Josh]

in the middle photo of the OP you will see a number stamped into the throttle body it starts with a 2

below that is the number you will need for ordering parts, the one i had was a BXU-2

[russellrovers]

So is worth changing back to a new Zenith John given that I imagine it would overcome the problem with the under-bonnet space and allow me to retain the original configuration.hi i have in stock orignal solex regards jim

[damiane]

That is what I would do. The adapter immediately above the manifold says that the original carburettor was a Zenith not a Solex (changeover was about early sixties, but there is no guarantee that a vehicle this old has the original engine).

New Zeniths are available from some of the Landrover specialists - last one I took note of was Land Vehicle Spares, but I am sure they are not the only one. I think they are made in India, which hould have no bearing on their quality.

John

I got a reply to my email to Land Vehicle Spares in NSW. They can supply Zenith or Webber suitable for the IIA. Just to confuse matters further they tell me they sell more Webbers than Zeniths. It looks as though I probably have the original motor with an assembly date at Enfield of December 1969 [thanks to Lotz-a-Landies]. Talk about spoiled for choice!

So your recommendations gratefully received. Repair the Stromberg. Fit a new Zenith. Fit a new Webber. (By new I mean reconditioned or good copy) We had Webber Dual throats on the Cooper S rally cars in the 70's. My recollection is they were right ba****ds to set up. Seems overkill on a Land Rover Series IIA but I suppose everything depends on the model.

[harry]

if it were my choice I would chuck the holden carby in the bin and refit the original, my car starts and runs like a dream on the original carby and oil bath aircleaner.
the holden engine was 132 cubic inch, that converts to 2163 cc,
your land rover engine is 2250 cc,
although a minor different capacity between the engines, the holden is smaller, so the holden carby is under nourishing the land rover engine.

[damiane]

if it were my choice I would chuck the holden carby in the bin and refit the original, my car starts and runs like a dream on the original carby and oil bath aircleaner.
the holden engine was 132 cubic inch, that converts to 2163 cc,
your land rover engine is 2250 cc,
although a minor different capacity between the engines, the holden is smaller, so the holden carby is under nourishing the land rover engine.

Harry,

there is much sense in what you suggest. I favour having what Land Rover intended, namely the Zenith. If that is what they thought appropriate for this engine to perform these tasks who am I to second-guess them.

Damian

[crackers]

Harry,

there is much sense in what you suggest. I favour having what Land Rover intended, namely the Zenith. If that is what they thought appropriate for this engine to perform these tasks who am I to second-guess them.

Damian

Land Rover favoured the Zenith for all sorts of reasons and you'd only be lucky if 'best for the job' was one of them. However, it was what was fitted originally. Provided it worked well then, why not, especially seeing you have the original motor.

Webbers have a good name thanks to their sporting carbies, but I don't know that their cooking versions were anything special, though probably well made.

[schuy1]

I found when I fitted a holden carby was not that it lacked giving the old 2.25 get up and go, but rather a lack of low down slow running. No matter what I did with it you had a real prob with crawling around the bush with out it bogging down at points just as you wanted it to pull . If your style of driving is tackle obstacles full revs and damn the torpedos , not a problem!:D However that style tends to get expensive and hard on gear.
The secret is in the jetting and throat size and shape which the stromberg does not cater for, so a zenith or solex p40, which 2a's had fitted up to '67, seem to be best suited.
In my opinon any way :)
Cheers Scott

[damiane]

Land Rover favoured the Zenith for all sorts of reasons and you'd only be lucky if 'best for the job' was one of them. However, it was what was fitted originally. Provided it worked well then, why not, especially seeing you have the original motor.

Webbers have a good name thanks to their sporting carbies, but I don't know that their cooking versions were anything special, though probably well made.

Dunno about the last. My web(b)er Q does a mean slow roast! :D

[JDNSW]

1969 the Zenith was the one fitted. Webbers were, I believe, fitted to much later engines, probably to meet more stringent emission regulations. This would not seem to be a good reason to change .

John

[Phil B]

I had a Weber (new) fitted to my S3 2.25 petrol by LVS after they overhauled the motor for me.
Starts very well (needs the choke every cold start though), runs and idles well (500rpm easily), top end performance (if you can use that word in the same sentence as 2.25 LR engine) is good. Cost about $300 from memory. I would fit one again.
Regards,

[damiane]

Put a Wanted ad on Gumtr** for a Zenith. Chap in Brissie has one off an army L/R. What's a fair price? He says everything that should move, moves, i.e. nothing is seized.

[ian4002000]

I have a holden carby on my series 2, 4 cylinder and it runs reasonably well on flat ground but it isn't able to handle the slopes. Speaking to a few older fellows that holdens carbys where good for about 12 degrees of slope and after that you where in trouble.
I have already purchased a second hand webber carb from a series 3 and it will be fitted at the next overhaul of the car.


Ian
Bittern

[Dinty]

Here are a couple of options
Land Rover Series 2A 3 Zenith Copy Carburettor (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVER-SERIES-2A-3-ZENITH-COPY-CARBURETTOR-2-25-PETROL-ERC2886-/221371908919?hash=item338acb4337)
and another
Land Rover 2 1 4 Litre 4CYL Zenith 36IV Carburetor NEW Replacement Carby | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-2-1-4-Litre-4cyl-Zenith-36IV-Carburetor-New-Replacement-Carby-/231353104398?hash=item35ddb8380e)
there are plenty of them out there in ebay, just have a look, cheers Dennis
ps if you go down the road of using the carburetor that you have, you will need an 'adjustable main jet' for it, cheers,,.

[JDNSW]

Last second hand one I got I paid $5 for, but admittedly it was not in good shape!

John

[damiane]

Here are a couple of options
Land Rover Series 2A 3 Zenith Copy Carburettor (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LAND-ROVER-SERIES-2A-3-ZENITH-COPY-CARBURETTOR-2-25-PETROL-ERC2886-/221371908919?hash=item338acb4337)
and another
Land Rover 2 1 4 Litre 4CYL Zenith 36IV Carburetor NEW Replacement Carby | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-2-1-4-Litre-4cyl-Zenith-36IV-Carburetor-New-Replacement-Carby-/231353104398?hash=item35ddb8380e)
there are plenty of them out there in ebay, just have a look, cheers Dennis
ps if you go down the road of using the carburetor that you have, you will need an 'adjustable main jet' for it, cheers,,.

Yes I saw those Dinty. The first is the Bearmach one and the second is a Britpart. Assuming they are "different" and not just differently boxed, has anyone any experience with either of these?

[marting]

Just to throw another carby in the mix: a mate with a '65 109 has fitted an SU carby and manifold to his. I think it was quite an expensive option as it involved buying the carby and manifold, but it certainly runs well, both on and off-road. This setup definitely has no problems with steep slopes.
This was purchased from brand new from England.
Cheers, Martin

[JDNSW]

Yes, the SU is supposed to be a good conversion, but as you point out, it needs a special manifold, so it is not going to be cheap!

John

[crackers]

Yes, the SU is supposed to be a good conversion, but as you point out, it needs a special manifold, so it is not going to be cheap!

John

Twin HS4s :twisted:

[JDNSW]

Yes, and then I remember reading many years ago about one with Rootes Blower - it was an airfield fire tender. I can't remember any details, but it was while the 2a was still in production.

John

[Kommer2013]

i dont know about the zenith and solex or weber carbs,
i had a zenith in mine and it was a pig, rough i had put a kit in it and it was terrible, i had a lot of trouble with starting with the oil bath filter on, too much fuel vapor in the rubber pipe,

i found a stromberg carby somewhere, cleaned it up and installed it, i could not believe the perforce increase from when i started it up, she puled away quicker and more responsive, i could not believe how good it was, so one day i thought i'll put the zenith back on, took it down the road oh that was terrible she was crap.
so back on with the stromberg, i dont have any problems with hills, i do have a facet fuel pump installed, and since i had had the stromberg carby fitted, Have never used the choke to start the engine, and so i have not got the choke connected up at all.

three pumps of the throttle and a quick push of the starter button and she fires up.

electric fuel pump is really great on them, i have the pump on the seat base beside the tank and have a toggle switch on the dash, which doubles as a security measure, as none of my switches are labeled as i know what they all do. i believe never label anything and if some went to steal the landy they would get confused and just walk away.

[mick88]

i dont know about the zenith and solex or weber carbs,
i had a zenith in mine and it was a pig, rough i had put a kit in it and it was terrible, i had a lot of trouble with starting with the oil bath filter on, too much fuel vapor in the rubber pipe,

i found a stromberg carby somewhere, cleaned it up and installed it, i could not believe the perforce increase from when i started it up, she puled away quicker and more responsive, i could not believe how good it was, so one day i thought i'll put the zenith back on, took it down the road oh that was terrible she was crap.
so back on with the stromberg, i dont have any problems with hills, i do have a facet fuel pump installed, and since i had had the stromberg carby fitted, Have never used the choke to start the engine, and so i have not got the choke connected up at all.

three pumps of the throttle and a quick push of the starter button and she fires up.

electric fuel pump is really great on them, i have the pump on the seat base beside the tank and have a toggle switch on the dash, which doubles as a security measure, as none of my switches are labeled as i know what they all do. i believe never label anything and if some went to steal the landy they would get confused and just walk away.


Kommer, what model Stromberg do you have on it or what vehicle and engine capacity was the Strommy off?


Cheers, Mick.