First driving impression since Solex 4A1 carburetor rebuild

[gerardoparedes]

Well, after forking around $450 on rebuilding the solex and repairing the brake booster the car now starts at the first turn of the key. In fact the engine starts so fast that as i am not used to it, almost always kept the started on for too long, i am just getting used to the feeling of not having to pump the accelerator pedal to start the car.

The mechanic charges me another $500 parts included to repair the whole direction and suspension, which includes ball joints, all the rubber mount and bushings, tie rod end, sway bar links, upper control arms. Its incredible how few steps you move ahead on one of this cars for $1000 these days, for that money i should have bought the megasquirt computer and the injectors and some additonal stuff.

You think its fair to pay that amount for the repairs to the direction and suspension?

[Mike D]

$500 for the front end work sounds more than reasonable.

Ball joints are about $60 per, sub-frame mounts are $80, upper control arm bushings are about $80, tie rod ends $25 apiece, stabilizer links about $25 and then the labor. Not a bad deal.

The $450 for the carb is probably a little LESS than the Megasquirt conversion.

Now you can enjoy driving your Benz while you collect the parts (and money) to convert to fuel injection. Hopefully by then I'll have my M110 done and you can avoid some of the pitfalls I encounter.

[gerardoparedes]

Mike D, which TBI unit are you using for your conversion? from a 4.3L chevy?

[Mike D]

Yup, it's a unit from a 4.3L.

GM/Rochester only has three sizes of two barrel TBI's. They are spec'ed by the venturi size.

They used one for the 2.8L, one for the 3.1L-7L and then a larger one for the monster lungers 9.0L's and "performance" engines.

There's only about an eighth inch difference between the 2.8L and the next size. 2.8's are tough to find and generally the wreckers don't want to part with just the TBI so I went with the larger one.

[wolf_walker]

Wish my Solex refurb had gone as well. It's driveable now, if a little finicky.

Looking forward to the TBI conversion here as well.