Why don't you post the name and number of that guru... I think a lot of people would like to know it....
I don't know how tall these carbs are ... but I am wondering if any Weber carbs are available to put in their place... My Subaru stock carb was about like this solex... 13 diaphrams, no one who even wanted to fix it.... all suggested I get the Weber... what a difference.... it now howls.... and parts/instructions are available for them....and they are famous for being tunable .....mine is the 32/36 dgav....
Gympie, what kind of gas mileage are you EXPECTING to get? That seems pretty good to me....