Thread: Fuel Issues? 3.5 carb

Since it's got carbies it won't be too complicated, whatever it is. There may also be something blocking the pickup in the fuel tank.

Thanks. I own it now so I guess I will have to sort it out. Now that I have driven it I think it's a carb issue.

Hey, hey, you've got to click on that "Thanks" button to help raise my score!

Anyhow, congratulations on buying one, and yes, it probably is the carbies but they're easy to sort out. One big tip is that they have to be in excellent condition to work. That's why people complain about them being impossible to tune but it's more than likely they're trying to tune carbies that have worn throttle spindles or whatever. Enjoy!

Hi rathgar,

I'd have a look at the fuel filters first off, there's a large main one under the vehicle on LH Side near the electric fuel pump and another in the engine bay which is a cartridge type and they may be the cause.

Id also check to see if it has oil in the pots - ie those black plastic things on the top of each carburetor unscrew and they pull out and have a cylindrical piece on the end.
They need to be lubricated (light type oil) not much maybe half a dozen drops of oil.

I'd also buy some aerosol carbie cleaner and undo the 4 screws, note how it comes off, has a spring underneath and and needle with a rubber diaphragm. Clean the inside of the cover, spring, pull out needle with rubber diaphram and spray carbie cleaner inside carbie. Don't get any carbie cleaner on the rubber diaphragm.

Inspect rubber diaphragm very carefully for tears, they may be perished and could also be a cause of your troubles.
They are not expensive and I replace both of them in each carbie. (I always carry additional ones in the vehicle as they do wear)
Be careful when refitting diaphrams in carbie as there is a notch where a lug on the rubber diapram goes into so they sit correctly.

I've had my 81 classic 2 door since 04 and haven't had the carbies tuned or serviced since I've owned her.
Not to say that don't need tuning, (I really do think they need tuning) but there are some specialist tools that you need and I don't have them.

I need to source a local mechanic (in Perth) that has the equipment and know how to tune them

Hope you get it sort out ....

Cheers

Baggy

That's a good list there. And I've found that these carbies run pretty well even when they're not set up perfectly, and they're easy to work on anyway, which is why I don't have EFI.

Special tool: Franklin (and others) Automotive Service Tools Page 1

And you can also get a Gunson Carbalancer, though using a bit of hose to have a listen seems to work as well.

Hi Davo,

You little beauty .....thanks very much for the excellent link
I'll look at putting an order in.

Cheers

Baggy

And while I think of it, go to eBay.co.uk and type in "Gunson" and all their tuning gear should be listed from various sellers. That's how I got all my stuff.