250C Carbs and Fuel System

[ctaylor738]

I am getting ready to reinstall my engine and tranmission and will soon be ready to install the intake manifold and carbs. Remembering that this car last ran in 1988, I am looking for suggestions about what to do with the carbs, as well as fuel lines. The fuel pump appears to be new, but it would have been new in 1992 when the engine was rebuilt.

I was thinking:

Drain the tank, unhook all lines and blow out with compressed air. Reconnect lines, put gas in tank and crank engine to run some gas through the pump.

For the carbs, I was going to try rebuilding them myself. Or should I look for a pair that have some recent use on them?

Thanks.

Chuck

[DANTRCAV]

I would definately drain the tank and blow out the lines. Remove the fuel filter (if you have one installed) between the pump and carbs then crank the engine and pump gas thru the pump into a can or glass jar (makes it easier to see). Make sure you don't have any grit or gunk. If you see red or red-brown grit or flakes that is rust from the tank (probably). A good radiator shop can clean and seal it if need be. I blew out my line and then poured some "Dry Gas" into them and blew that out. No rust and no problems.

As far as the carbs go, you can still find some new ones at around $1000.00 a pop (so I am told), new Webers with linkage and conversion stuff about $700.00 (JAM Engineering). The Zenith carbs are not too hard to rebuild but they are a pain to get adjusted. If you decide to rebuild the carbs, take the secondary vacuum control off of both of them to see if the diaphram is torn. If so, you will need to get the "major" rebuild kit rather than the normal "minor" rebuid kit. A big problem with the Zenith's is the top cover which usually warps because people tend to over tighten the aircleaner screws. You can "surface" them by hand grinding them on a sheet of 300-400 grit wet/dry sandpaper (use it wet) until you get a totally bright surface. If you do this, you might want to trim (grind) about 1/64 off the BOTTOM of the choke plates as the top will be a tad lower on the body and this might cause the choke plates to stick.

Obviously, rebuild one carb at a time so you have the other for a visual reference if needed.

BTW: New prices for the Beck-Arney fuel pump is in the $150.00 range. If it is shot, you might consider an electric as a replacement. If you do, make sure it is rated for European cars as you want pump pressure in the 2.5 to 3.5 psi range (even if you go to Webers).

Hope this helps. Good Luck.

Dan

[ctaylor738]

Dan -

Good info - thanks.

MB sells a gasket kit for $26.50 and then sells parts separately. Daytona Parts will rebuild them completely for $500. TMC will sell me carbs off a running engine for $300. I can buy a running car for $600.

Do you know of anyone who sells a kit?

How's that for a range of options? Mein Mekaniker, Herr Fuchs thinks carbs are the least of my problems and that I should try to start it and see what happens.

Thanks

Chuck

[DANTRCAV]

Chuck:

Herr Fuchs is probably right. However, you may have a problem with the accelerator pumps in the carbs if they are the older style rawhide. If so, they will be dried out and shot. If they are newer style (or were replaced during a rebuild) made of "plastic" they should work. In any event, I would probably do as Herr Fuchs states - what the hey! If the carbs need rebuilding you will know it after you get started.

You can get complete "major" rebuild kits from Atlanta Stutgardt Motors as I did. I think I paid something like $45.00 each ($90.00 total) for the kits and they included the secondary diaphrams. You might also try the Parts House here on this board.

As far as the other options, yes you have a number of them. Carbs off a running engine are probably a good choice (assuming it is running pretty well and that those carbs don't need some work). A whole car for $600 gives you a lot of spare parts - carb condition still unknown. If you are thinking about having them rebuilt ($500) I would consider adding a couple of hundered and getting the Webers - unless you want to keep the car original.

Choices - choices. Almost like voting in certail locals!!

Keep me updated (e-mail me if you like)...

Dan

[ctaylor738]

Stuttgart Atlanta referred me to Partsouth, and I ended up buying the kits for $50 each. I am probably subjecting myself to a lot of trouble, but the purpose of this project is to tinker and learn. It would have been too easy just to pop $732 to JAM.

Check out Partsouth prices - you can get the phone # from their website.

Chuck