weber 32dft single carb conversion stuff

[JBz]

Personally I don't know where the problem is as long as it is in the right section. We have had many duplicate or should I say similar posts on everything from timing belts to paint. Do I read everything when it comes to single carbs or every post that pops up .That answer Is NO . I don't see any offense. Why should I ??? ...........JB

[82aspy]

first off you cannot stop follks talking scc, if you do, you are telling them and they will go elsewhere for the info eitherway,

the argument i've heard is scc is a threat to restoring the originals carb option,

i'd call that outa touch and self defeating, along with bringing unwanted attention, as in a mixed message wtf?!

seems to me that if there is/was anything to scc, as far as any kind of mainstream option, you would have seen it already,

mostly what you see is a few folks able to make it work, with a ton of yap yap baggage and bs that comes along for the ride,

so when that is pointed out, along with facts, i don't see scc ever being more than a fringe option that few can make work, pointing most folks to sticking with originals

so where's the beef?

[sunnbobb]

As moderator of this sub forum, I'd appreciate if we could stay on topic and discuss single and unique carbs. Enough said.

[badorderbob]

OK I'm hungry !!

[rcmatt007]

[82aspy]

here are the vitals of the new 32dft that is known to give good results bolting on as is onto a vw type 3-4 plenum (with some mods)

iow, no running issues and good even plug readings for a start

(from westgl's stuff)
Tech Reference

1. Weber 32DFT & 32DFTA with 32/32 mm Throttle bores & 22/22 mm Venturi choke sizes, jetting for the new 32 DFT Carb from Tom Langdon

Idle Jets
Primary .50
Secondary .60

High Speed Bleed
Primary 1.60
Secondary 2.20

Main Well Tube
Primary XD5
Secondary TD2

Main Jet
Primary 1.05
Secondary .95

there are many applications based on this carb out there, you can go used, rebuilt but basically you are opening up a can of worms, as opposed to the above known

there are many options out there as far as runners go

plenum heat (when and if required absolutely) has not been fully sorted yet and the merits of using a 2 into one barrel adapter plate are being tested/debated

i don't have the exact numbers for a setup and it depends which runners going with but 250 -300 bucks + easy is my guess for starting with the new carb, plus labour

this will be very slow cos i have no issues with the stock setup, they are prob original (~38k miles) and i only have the one runner right now

my understanding is this is the first carb that has come along to date that is as bolt on and go, as they come,

though i'm not familiar with the the $500 + kits out there, i have read of a few that worked great, one without any heat

[dave781]

Hi everyone
I am from Newfoundland Canada
I am am in the middle of making MY naked wing as we'll
I am in the beginnings of starting a single carb conversion
And would like to hear Problems and pros and cons of doing this
All info welcome
Thanks
Dave

[sunnbobb]

http://www.randakksblog.com/single-carb-conversions/

[Rat]

Please note this request from Randakk's site

"Feel free to consider this information, but do me a favor and please don’t post this link into any of these silly “debates.”

Thanks

Gord

[82aspy]

good stuff here
http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=51999

http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... lit=webber

http://ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=42352

[bmwhacker]

Nearly complete on a Weber/Carter 32/32 DFT conversion. Using a "Langdon carb" and a Type 4 VW bus manifold. Haven't yet addressed the plenum preheating. Will address that in the future when funds allow (if funds are needed). So far it is running well as is. Have only run it 30 miles or so to date. Used 1 1/2" fuel rated tubing with 1 1/2" 20 gauge chrome pipe inserts. The inserts fit tightly inside the fuel rated tubing to make it rigid as the fuel tubing is not vacuum rated. I removed the OEM rubber manifolds and attached directly to the alloy manifolds. The "naked" manifold ends are quite short with the rubber removed but I was able to acheive a vacuum leak free attachment. I didn't want to use my stock manifolds as the rubber was rock hard, plus it would involve using different feed runner tubes and more clamps.



OEM Throttle cable was too short to route in from the rear so opted to bring it in from the front. Used a "universal" Weber throttle adapter.
I ordered a weber 32/36 air cleaner thinking it would fit. Had to modify the base section to fit the carb. Used the air cleaner provided fitting to route in the crankcase breather tube. With the more rigid steel inserts in the tubing, the carb height was perfect for clearance of the fuel inlet fitting. The OEM tool tray fits fine with plenty of clearance.



Removed the electric choke assembly as there was insufficient room "under the hood". Running with no choke at this point. When I made my throttle cable mounting plate I added another mounting hole in case I want to plumb in the OEM choke cable. Think I can use the OEM cable and adapt to the weber linkage ....will need to be a little creative,



The bike is working well so far although the overall performance doesn't seem as "seamless" as a properly functioning OEM 4 carb set up.
My reason for performing the conversion was a cheaper, easier to maintain option. I had quotes ranging from $600.00 to $850.00 to rebuild the stock carbs. I could have rebuilt them myself but have no indoor work space or items needed to properly "soak" and clean the OEM carbs. The OEM carbs worked great for a couple years after the last rebuild but had been giving me "fits" recently. Finally ended up not getting proper fuel to the right side at RPM's lower than 4000. I nursed the bike home for 75 miles and at least wasn't stranded along side the road. Plus the plastic caps on each carb top were rotting away and falling apart.

Time will tell if the conversion was a good idea. I'll be racking up some miles in the near future and we'll see how it goes.
Total cost so far at just under $350.00.
A gentileman going by "CaptainMidnight" provided me information for sources to get where I'm at. I did not follow all his advice to a "T" but am real glad to have my bike back on the road fairly cheaply.

[82aspy]

tom's carb?

got a source for?

1 1/2" fuel rated tubing with 1 1/2" 20 gauge chrome pipe inserts

the overall performance is not near as "seamless"?

[bmwhacker]

tom's carb?

got a source for?

1 1/2" fuel rated tubing with 1 1/2" 20 gauge chrome pipe inserts

Kept in very simple:
Used over the counter NAPA 1 1/2" fuel filler tubing and some Ace Hardware chrome steel 1 1/2" 20 gauge plumbing pipe.

The "seamless" statement is how I could best describe the overall throttle reponse.
Actual acceleration seems better. No "stumble" or hesitation when hitting the throttle when at running temperature.
Idle is stable at 1000 - 1100 RPM, but sounds a bit "lumpy" compared to stock.
I have only made a couple of "cold starts" (at 50* or so) and the bike had to warm up for 2-3 minutes Did not start as easy as the OEM carbs with choke applied. Took a bit of throttle application to keep it running for the first minute or so. I'll probably be figuring out the manual choke cable attachment. I was a little nervous about pumping in too much fuel with the throttle prior to starting. I'll gain more of a feel for things after running it more. Once warmed up the engine starts instantly.

Talking with T. Langdon, it is important that the plenum be preheated. I'm thinking about options to acheive that. I have no welding expertise or equipment so farming out to a fabricator would be costly. They'd need to build the plenum chamber, add fittings and weld it all together...then I'll need to tap into the cooling system.
I'm wondering if an electric heating option might work (?), such as grip heating elements attached to the plenum and insulated. Down side would be the electrical draw on the system. Tom L. says the plenum must just be warm, not necessarily hot. I am thinking "outside the box" I guess....I'm no expert at anything, know just enough to be dangerous. But I enjoy taking on projects. Often "outside the box"

I thought about the bolt on (EBay) Solex / Empi single barrel kits that are available but thought a one barrel carb would have limitations....also thought about the PVC system many are building. Decided to "shy away" from any single barrel carb options.
I'll be racking up some miles in the near future so we'll see how it goes.
The OEM carbs are still in hand and I have replacement manifolds if I choose to go back to stock.

[bmwhacker]

Got the bike out on the road for 150 miles today.
Cold starting the bike (@ 50* or so) took a few minutes of warm up time. Took about 3 tries to get the bike running, then had to lock throttle at 2k RPM for a full minute before idle could be achieved.
Once warmed up, things were fine and idle consistent at 1100 RPM. Re-starts were instantaneous with a touch of the switch.



Took some secondary roads out to the Yuma Army Proving Grounds....then through the Dome Valley. Ran some freeway sections on I-8 at 75 - 85 mph.
What really amazes me is the rate of acceleration when the Weber carb secondary opens up. ....65 MPH to 100 MPH happens VERY quickly. Engine ran smooth and consistent at highway speeds with no issues. Engine temperature the same ranges as it was prior to the conversion.



Occasionally experiencing some throttle "lag" when starting out from a stop. I was pre-warned of this trait without the plenum preheating in place. Only experienced that at a few start outs from a standstill. When sitting stationary in neutral and hitting the throttle, zero lag is present....it only occurs when starting out, under load, when "lugging" the engine.



I think the final "product" looks like a "planned event" now that it is complete.



The spark plugs in the bike are probably 5 years old so I stopped at a local bike shop and picked up a new set of plugs to install. I want to keep an eye on plug "burn" condition to make sure it's not running too lean and new plugs were due anyway.



Monitored fuel usage for today's ride and was at 42 MPG for the highway riding, varying from 50 MPH to 80 MPH. That was exactly the same fuel mileage I was seeing prior to the conversion. The plenum heating will be next on the list to hopefully eliminate the occasional throttle "lag" I'm experiencing. Thinking about routing some exhaust heat via tubing up to the plenum. Not sure if that is a good idea but it would definitely be the simplest way.
Still sorting out options:
1) Cooling System Heating - probably the most efficient, but the most expensive / involved.
2) Electrical Heating - I think it would work but additional load on electrical system could be problimatic.
3) Exhaust System Heating - (?) the simplest, but maybe not a good route but might be worth a try?

Saw where one aftermarket VW single barrel conversion used scavenged exhaust heat (EGR) for their preheating. Not sure how they achieved that but I'm going to think it through and see if it would be possible..

[CYBORG]

Thanks for the ride report. Good info