1974 Westy with Carbs--poor running

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whc03grady
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Location: Livingston Montana
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1974 Westy with Carbs--poor running

Post by whc03grady » Sun Sep 08, 2024 7:23 pm

Ludwig had been experiencing a low-power issue. Colin and I rebuilt the carbs and all was well.
Colin asked me to record and report these numbers, also available at this link:

3 valve cover 199 / 240 / 213
4 valve cover 214 / 245 / 236
3/4 exh flange 499 / 455/ 454
1 valve cover 222 / 214 / 271
2 valve cover 244 / 224 / 266
1/2 exh flange 544/ 497 / 580
crankcase 244 / 235 / 368

first number is after a 35 mile highway drive with a stiff headwind
second number is after 25 miles on forest road gravel, ~30 mph
third number is after a 72 mile highway drive with a headwind

At the end of the last drive, after getting off the highway there was a lot of rough running, bursts of low power, stalling at idle. (On the highway it ran fine.) Smelling raw gas I looked at the carbs and it seemed like the pass. side carb was leaking somewhere; the manifold and tin underneath was wet. It was a little loose at the manifold. I took it off, replaced the gaskets at the phrenelic plate and tightened it down. Test drive around town yielded the same symptoms as above.

I'll start going through Colin's flow chart and report back.
Ludwig--1974 Westfalia, 2.0L (GD035193), Solex 34PDSIT-2/3 carburetors.
Gertie--1971 Squareback, 1600cc with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection from a '72 (E brain).
Read about their adventures:
http://www.ludwigandgertie.blogspot.com

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satchmo
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Location: Crosby, MN
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Re: 1974 Westy with Carbs--poor running

Post by satchmo » Sat Sep 14, 2024 7:53 am

I'd take the carbs off, take them apart, and replace the needle valve for the float. Sounds like the one on the passenger side is sticking.
By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by immitation, which is easiest;
and third, by experience, which is bitterest. -Confucius

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whc03grady
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Location: Livingston Montana
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Re: 1974 Westy with Carbs--poor running

Post by whc03grady » Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:51 pm

As instructed:
Key on, pulled the cut-offs wires one at a time, listening for clicks. Nada. “That’s strange, I can understand one maybe but both?”
Went to the terminal they share on the coil: connection is not great. Fiddled with it, click click. Gussied up that connection, also replaced the pass side wire to the cut-off because it had two splices so why the hell not.

Vroom vroom.
Ludwig--1974 Westfalia, 2.0L (GD035193), Solex 34PDSIT-2/3 carburetors.
Gertie--1971 Squareback, 1600cc with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection from a '72 (E brain).
Read about their adventures:
http://www.ludwigandgertie.blogspot.com

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satchmo
Old School!
Location: Crosby, MN
Status: Offline

Re: 1974 Westy with Carbs--poor running

Post by satchmo » Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:55 pm

Outstanding.
By three methods we may learn wisdom:
First, by reflection, which is noblest;
second, by immitation, which is easiest;
and third, by experience, which is bitterest. -Confucius

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Amskeptic
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Re: 1974 Westy with Carbs--poor running

Post by Amskeptic » Thu Nov 07, 2024 12:06 pm

whc03grady wrote:
Fri Oct 11, 2024 6:51 pm
As instructed:
Key on, pulled the cut-offs wires one at a time, listening for clicks. Nada. “That’s strange, I can understand one maybe but both?”
Went to the terminal they share on the coil: connection is not great. Fiddled with it, click click. Gussied up that connection, also replaced the pass side wire to the cut-off because it had two splices so why the hell not.

Vroom vroom.

Vroom, vroom, it is all just that easy. Since I visited you, I have put on an additional 8,000 miles and lost a fight with a building in Rocker MT.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . . . . . . .115,063 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . . . . . . 219,045 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . . . 185,060 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . 55,630 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . 99,705 miles

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