Recalcitrant Webers - who's the 'go to' expert?

[toomspj]

I've been struggling with carbs on my GTS Elan. I started out with brand new DCOE45 Webers which I were Spanish made - they were supplied by the guy that built my engine (John Smirthwaite). I sorted out the problems with them flooding and dumping fuel on the distributor (well documented issue) but when I went to drive the car the engine all but shut down on right hand bends. Left hand were fine and I could do doughnuts that way, but couldn't even do a low speed right hand turn. Eventually we traced the problem to the carbs by fitting a different set.

So, I then bought some second hand Italian DCOE45 Webers (thanks Dave Hughes) which seem to have worked ok. But my engine has always felt a bit cammy and i have struggled to get power out of low speed corners to the point tat I'm not competitive at certain circuits. So, I had the cams changed for slightly softer ones, but the problem still persisted. And now I know that i'm well on the cam, but going round and exiting tight right hand bends the car was still sluggish.

I've now just changed the carbs for a different set of DCOE45 Webers and the car is transformed! It power slides around right hand bends and dances the way it is meant to (just had a great day at Goodwood today). It runs a bit rough but I did just slap them on at the track.

I don't know what the issue is that could be causing the carbs to behave this way, but they certainly do seem to be the culprit. I know that it is not fuel pressure related because I have a gauge and warning light - which does come on if I run too low on fuel and I get some surge.

My question is - where can I send my carbs to get them properly overhauled. Who is the guru in the Weber world? I can take them apart clean them and fit new parts, but I need the address of the top carburettor consultant in the kingdom (UK)

Sorry for such a long tale, but I need to be winning next season! Any ideas and does any of this sound familiar?

Paul

[trw99]

Paul, the guy doing the most to make Webers work at maximum efficiency is Keith Franck (in the US). Years ago he used to post on here but for the last several years he has run the Yahoo group called Sidedraught_Central.

He produces some kit now (e-tubes etc) as well as a daily explanation of where he is with his experimentation. Although he doesn't take in folks Webers, he offers anyone lots of practical advise. He also races so is happy to give track related advice too. I think Rohan has had some correspondence with him.

Not what you are directly after, but might be helpful.

Tim

[toomspj]

Thanks Tim

I'll figure out how to get in contact with Keith. I think I have my have found the solution to my problem, but I don't understand what the problem is.

If I get anything useful, I'll post back on this site. The positive thing is that I believe my car is going to be a lot more competitive next season. I had such a ball today, making it dance and drift around Goodwood!

Paul

[Europatc]

Give Aldon eng a ring. West Midlands 01384 572553
Stuart

[mbell]

Keith has actually very recently being looking at issue with the webers under high g causing fuel to drain out of the carb into the engine.

I'd sign up for side draft central and have a read.

I presume you have been setting the fuel level correctly on the carbs?

[silverlink]

Paul,
If you want to stay in the UK for overhaul I've just had my Sprint DCOE31's overhauled by RPM at Market Weighton in East Yorkshire. They did a superb job which included full strip ultrasonic cleaning, aqua vapour cleaning of the bodies and reassembly using genuine Weber parts. The guy you need to speak to is Neil Howbridge on 01430 872145.
Total cost for full rebuild was ?248-92 and the carbs look like new!
Cheers
Ian

[JohnDanbyRacing]

Hi Paul,

We have had the exact same issue on a set of Spanish Weber's with big cams on our John Smirthwaite engine. Lack of throttle response under 4200rpm mainly on right hand bends after periods of off throttle. We also solved the problem by fitting another set of carbs but I have had the carbs stripped and rebuilt/re-jet by our local expert so hoping to test them out before the end of the year.
In saying all this when compared on datalogging to our other car that is smooth as the proverbial from tickover there was very little time loss at the bottom end.
Still trying to fully understand the problem as we have not had it on any Elan before!

[elansprint71]

This good/bad Webers discussion has gone on in the racing world for years and I'm not aware of a solution. It seems if you get a good set, stick with 'em, even when you change engines.
Machining tolerances seem to have been generally better when the instruments were Italian built and several folks have had fires when using the Spanish units; which is a serious worry in a plastic car and none too funny in a tin box either.

Have you had a chat with Pat Thomas? I know he is selling (has sold?) his business but over the years he seems to have run some good Weber cars.

I'm in a similar position at the moment with Dellortos, having a need to find someone who can do a decent overhaul and set-up. Most of the even older farts than me seem to have retired.

[l10tus]

The people at Aldon Automotive, in Brierley Hill, Dudley are excellent with Webers.

The trick is to take the car to them and have it rolling road tuned.

My car came back a different vehicle, with the sweetest tickover and INSTANT throttle response.

You can get a torque and BHP check and printout at the same time.

Unbelievable difference.!

Well recommended. ( no affiliation, etc)

Only drawback is the distance !

Tel: 01384 572 553