Solex P11-4 Carbs

[Greg Garrett]

Hey all,
My car has a 1966 912 engine. I have purchased a pair of Solex P11-4 carbs and manifolds for it to replace the zeniths that are on it now. Do I need to also put in the spacers between the manifold and carbs? If so, should there be a gasket on each side of the spacers? The carbs are solid shaft. Thanks..

[David Jones]

Yes, you need the spacers for heat insulation and to make the linkage fit. Without the spacers the down links will be too short. You also need the 8 gaskets.

[Greg Garrett]

Thank you David. Also, do you know if the fuel line connections at carbs (banjo bolts) will line up the same as the zeniths?

[David Jones]

No, the two fuel manifolds are different. You will have to source a new fuel manifold or make up your own with banjo fittings and a "T". The banjo bolts however are the same for both. Try Jim at EASY for the fuel manifold or the parts.

[Greg Garrett]

Thanks, much appreciated!

[Andy Stephenson]

Greg, Give it a try at EASY and see but I think I heard he retired and sold all his parts to Gary Emory. Don't have either of their numbers but I bet you could find both of them in some old issues of the Registry

[Vic Skirmants]

Also; without the spacers, the accelerator linkage connection at the center of the carb will hit the reinforcement between the manifold "pipes".

[Greg Bryan]

Greg - you can also try a 'Want to Buy" ad in the classifieds.
The Samba also has an active parts for sale forum for 356
Good luck!

[Greg Garrett]

I talked to Jim at EASY and he said he didn’t have the fuel manifold and that they are hard to come by. He said he thought that Stoddard has new ones now. I checked and sure enough they do. A bit pricey but at least I can get one.

[Martin Benade]

Or you could use the Zenith one, cut with rubber hose and clamps, if you are not being too fancy.

[Brad Ripley]

On the fuel lines for Solex vs Zenith and early vs late pumps, here's a sketch that might help. The currently available pump-to-carb lines are for connection to the late pump.

[Greg Garrett]

Thank you Martin and Brad. Once I get the carbs installed I may take Martins advice and cut and use fuel lines if things line up close enough. I think they do that for Webers. The carbs I bought have banjo hose fittings on them, ready to accept a fuel line. If not I will buy the new fuel manifolds. Thanks Brad for verifying the part numbers.

[Dick Weiss]

Greg,

Be sure to check the mounting flanges of the carb's "feet" to be flat and matched to each other; Generally, warpage has been
between .012"-.020" after several years of R & R-ing!
They should be w/in a coupla thousanths (I refinish them to .001") and be sure to use the thin OEM gaskets; There used to be kits having thicker gaskets to eliminate air leaks, but having the "feet" flat, only torque the mounting hardware to 15 ft.lbs. to eliminate warping them again!

Dick

[Greg Garrett]

Good advice Dick. Will do!

[Dick Weiss]

Greg,

I hope you didn't cut the Zenith lines--they're hard to find @ swap meets; etc.
I'll look in my archives as a trade for a Solex line could be possible w/2-way shipping cost.

Dick