Solex versus Zenith

[conjames]

Hi guys,

My solex carby on my '66 Series2a is giving me some problems but is looking tired...thinking of getting a changeover carby for it. Whats the general opinion on Zeniths?...is this the better way to go or are there other types which are better..

thnks

conjames

[JDNSW]

In my view the Solex and Zenith are pretty much interchangeable, and better than any of the alternatives. (Some SU conversions are said to give significantly more power, but involve a new manifold, for example).

The Zenith has the advantage that it seems to be easier to get parts, and they are mostly newer and hence less worn. Despite this, my impression is that the Solex is more trouble free, although I have no hard evidence for this.

John

[Wolfman_TWP]

I've been told that the Weber Carby is better. As it has a variable butterfly valve??!! And still has the power of the others, and uses a lot less fuel. I've ordered myself one.. Which is replacing my old Zenith, which was then replaced with a Stromberg.(They are not cheap though.. New that is)

Wolf

[matpoli]

Got a stromberg on mine from a holden 6, just added a variable main jet and got it re-kitted and it works flawlessly.

[Shonky]

I've been told that the Weber Carby is better.

I am iminently about to remove the Weber (rebuilt 4 months ago) off mine - and replace it with a rebuilt Solex.

It is a great carby - gives good performance and is quite economical.

But:

...it doesn't like hot weather. When you do a decent run on a warm day, after stopping at traffic lights the airflow stops and everything gets hot. Big float - small bowl... the fuel vapourises. You will discover this by about 2nd gear and start bucking like a donkey.

I'm done with it.

[chazza]

Carburettors such as the SU, Webber and Stromberg work well on the blacktop but from what I have heard they play up when it comes to difficult off road inclines, as the float chamber is not designed to cope.

I think someone posted here once about a disastrous stall on a steep sealed road followed by a scary roll backwards downhill!

I would stick with the Solex or Zenith; it is after all what Rover decided worked best,

Cheers Charlie

[conjames]

Thanks guys for the feedback....I'm sorta leaning towards the Weber, as i have had some good reports about it...even though there's a couple of not so good ones here....I was going for a Zenith changeover and I hear it is difficult to get a new unit. The ones available are copys made out of India...so I here.....doesn't fill me full of confidence.

[C H T]

Carburettors such as the SU, Webber and Stromberg work well on the blacktop but from what I have heard they play up when it comes to difficult off road inclines, as the float chamber is not designed to cope.

I think someone posted here once about a disastrous stall on a steep sealed road followed by a scary roll backwards downhill!

I would stick with the Solex or Zenith; it is after all what Rover decided worked best,

Cheers Charlie

i completely agree. Had all sorts of trouble with a Weber on a IIa years ago - it flooded badly on steep hills - bordering on dangerous in the bush. Went back to the Zenith. My preference would be firmly in the direction of the Zenith, with second preference going to the Solex with the caveat that fuel consumption will be slightly heavier.

The Holden Stromberg does not like steep hills either.

C H T

[isuzurover]

It should be pointed out that there are 2 webbers - the single barrel webber that everyone is talking about here (which is economical but has major vapur lock issues), and the twin barrel 32/34DMTL webber fitted to 2.5P engines. It works very well, however you need a new manifold which is hard to find in AU.

Likewise there are two strombergs. The holden stromberg - which is a useless on hills - and the stromberg CD carbies, as used on RRC v8s and the rover 6. The stromberg CD from a rover 6 works well on a 2.25 - possibly one of the best options - however you need to make an adaptor elbow to bolt it on.

[peterg1001]

I've got a Holden Stromberg, which I want to recondition before I put it back on the vehicle. To me at least, the Strombergs (23-3000, 23-2013, 23-105C) look identical externally.

Question - what do I need to look at or to know to be able to buy the correct kit to get it back to good working condition?

Thanks in advance

Peter