Carburetor question for you guys

"Big Bubba Ray" (eganward01) 01/28/2014 at 17:49 • Filed to: Baja Bug

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I managed to get the engine back into the bug last night with the help of my dad. I just was able to start it up about an hour ago after connecting all the necessary wires. The engine fired on the first try, but it seems to be idling too high. I checked the timing and everything was perfect there, so I think I may have to tune the carburetor. I've never tuned a carb before so I don't really know what the hell I'm doing.

Here are some pictures of the carb for ya. I don't know what carburetor is on there, but it is aftermarket. Can someone who knows what they're doing help me out please?

CAR_IS_MI > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:00

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Your pictures got Kinja'd

Big Bubba Ray > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 18:05

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Son of a bitch. Gimme a minute.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:12

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While we wait for you to be unkinjaed, it's possible that your current carb is an air balance-dependent type like those made by Solex, and uneven or too-fast running could be caused by an air leak. Idling too high is a much more common problem with, say, EFI setups than carbs, but sometimes occurs - probably less likely due to jetting, but who knows...

Big Bubba Ray > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 18:12

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Pics working now?

CAR_IS_MI > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:13

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Seem to be

CAR_IS_MI > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:14

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What was the reason the engine was out?

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:14

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Yep, that's a Solex 30/31, looks like. Balance issues, I'm betting you.

Big Bubba Ray > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 18:18

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No, the engine was out because one of my valves was frozen in compression.

Big Bubba Ray > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/28/2014 at 18:18

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Any suggestions on how to get it idling properly? I have no idea how to tune a carb haha

CAR_IS_MI > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:19

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Did you replace head gaskets, valve seals / seats, springs, etc, etc?

Big Bubba Ray > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 18:21

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The valve seal and seat were replaced on the one that was stuck. My engine doesn't have head gaskets. Sounds weird but it never had them haha

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:24

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Solexes don't tune much. Effectively, if your carb linkage is closing all the way and you're still idling high, you're probably leaking air somewhere. Not really a question of tuning, even, just figuring out where it's leaking - I think that version of Solex just has an overall mix/main jet screw, so if playing with that does nothing to slow your idle: *leak*.

CAR_IS_MI > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:25

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Well it may be caused due to the fact that the engine is now more properly sorted and running more efficiently.

This may be as simple as properly setting the idle control.

Big Bubba Ray > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/28/2014 at 18:27

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Thanks for the help. I'll see if I can find a leak somewhere if that's the case!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 18:29

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It *is* possible the idle was set too high by the PO. That being said, that carb doesn't have a stop as such. If he drops the butterfly all the way down and it's still high-idling, leak leak leak.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:31

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mrtheengineer did raise the "idle set too high" prospect, but as long as your throttle closes all the way and it's still high idling, it's not that - I'm not aware of any adjustable bottom limiting on a Solex other than setting the cable/link too tight.

CAR_IS_MI > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 01/28/2014 at 18:34

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Yes this too is quite possible. I am not terribly familiar with the carb on these. Do they have an idle fuel mixture screw?

evil2win > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:34

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It might as easy as backing off the idle stop adjustment. That screw behind the top of the spring that adjust how far the butterfly is allowed to close. Loosen the lock nuts and back it off till the idle comes down to where you want it. It's worth a try.

Big Bubba Ray > evil2win 01/28/2014 at 18:37

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Ya I will definitely give that a try. Thanks!

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CAR_IS_MI 01/28/2014 at 18:41

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I'm only familiar with them because I was recently exploring their weird Land-Rover siblings. The weird thing with them is that they use active air pressure differences (including to ambient) as well as ordinary suction to meter fuel, and they actually even have (replaceable) jets open to the ambient air and in the throat to *control air flow*. That one and the one on the Land-Rover have *a* mixture adjustment screw, but I think it's mostly an overall mix more than idle. That's why I told him to check if that one screw helped - I don't think it really will, but it's worth a try.

It also doesn't have an idle stop of any kind, but anyway - if there's air access to the bowl that isn't supposed to be there, extra air in the throat that isn't supposed to be there, etc. etc. it's very possible that it is getting both too much air and too much fuel. I. e. high idle.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 18:49

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He's right: I missed that that is there, as I'm not used to seeing it. That's the way a Rochester adjusts the idle as well (off the choke, so that the choke forces the engine slightly off idle), definitely worth checking. I thought initially it was some other kind of tomfoolery.

Xentron Holy Reaper of Worlds > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 19:54

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You might want to be careful. That vehicle is an Orlove waiting to happen.

Big Bubba Ray > Xentron Holy Reaper of Worlds 01/28/2014 at 20:55

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Trying to avoid that at all costs!

GRawesome > Big Bubba Ray 01/28/2014 at 21:36

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Do you have a tach in the car so you can know exactly high the idle is?
If not, a self contained dwell/tach meter is very helpful in setting your idle at the right RPM. I got one like this to set the timing and idle on my Rover: http://www.sears.com/actron-dwell-t…
Very helpful for any carbureted car!

Big Bubba Ray > GRawesome 01/28/2014 at 21:44

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I don't have a tach in my car, just little red lines on the speedo that indicate the red line of each gear haha but I'll definitely keep this in mind! I think I've sorted out the problem but this would be useful for future tune ups and such.