'59 Carrera GT - Solex 44 PII-4 leakage

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Post Reply
Message
Author
Gordon Arnold
356 Fan
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2023 4:25 pm
Tag: M3Eater
Location: NH
Contact:

'59 Carrera GT - Solex 44 PII-4 leakage

#1 Post by Gordon Arnold »

Greetings,
We have a 1959 356a Carrera GT with the type 692 engine and the Solex44 PII-4 carbs. The engine is freshly built and I do not know the history on the carbs, but they are clean and appear that they would have been rebuilt. The issue is external fuel leakage, just like is common on the Zenith carbs, such as on the 1958 356a Speedster that we also have. Has anyone done a full tech write-up on the common issues that cause external fuel leakage (like Ron LaDow did for the Zeniths)?

Of course, my first thought is that the floats may be just a bit too high (even if they are technically set at spec). Once the car sits long enough, after being run or transported, the fuel dries up and there is no leakage. Driving it, or jostling it (like while being transported) causes the leakage.

Thoughts ?

Dave Erickson
356 Fan
Posts: 2189
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2013 9:34 pm
Location: Monterey, CA

Re: '59 Carrera GT - Solex 44 PII-4 leakage

#2 Post by Dave Erickson »

What are the symptoms, do you see fuel dripping or wet spots? If so, its like any other car, track them down and replace the component that is at fault or tighten the loose connection, etc.

User avatar
Jeff Adams
356 Fan
Posts: 148
Joined: Wed Jan 21, 2009 9:54 pm
Location: Connecticut
Contact:

Re: '59 Carrera GT - Solex 44 PII-4 leakage

#3 Post by Jeff Adams »

Hi Gordon. Can you be more specific on your leaks, as in where exactly are they coming from and how badly are they leaking? Similar to oil leaks, they can be minor seeps which are an annoyance or something more troublesome. If the various fittings and jets have reddish colored fiber sealing rings you might be able to tighten up the fittings to slow down or stop the leaks.

Float levels high enough to cause external leaks would most likely make the engine run very poorly from flooding. It is always a good idea to check them if in doubt.

As a side note, a 59 GT Carrera would have originally had a 692/3 engine with Weber 40DCM carburetors. The Solex 44PII-4 carbs were used on 692/3A and a few 904 engines. Do you know the build specs of your engine? Some 692/3 engines were updated later on to 692/3A specifications, which was much more than just the carburetors.

User avatar
Mark Roth
356Talk Moderator
Posts: 1864
Joined: Tue Sep 27, 1994 11:54 pm
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: '59 Carrera GT - Solex 44 PII-4 leakage

#4 Post by Mark Roth »

Should this be in the 4 cam forum?
Mark Roth
65 C Cab (Black/black)

User avatar
Jacques Lefriant
356 Fan
Posts: 4597
Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:50 pm
Location: Washoe county NV

Re: '59 Carrera GT - Solex 44 PII-4 leakage

#5 Post by Jacques Lefriant »

Hi Mark
the leakage problem is generic. The side note is 4-Cam.
j
 

Post Reply