I've got a '73 280 that was originally equiped with a Solex 4a1 or 41a (i forget which). Does anyone know what the flow of this carb would be in CFM? I've had trouble finding a carb to replace.

I used to have 280 with the trouble Solex carb. Here are some websites that sale replacement carbs for it. If I still had my 280 I would get the 4bbl Holley.

http://www.weber-carburetors.com/

http://www.jameng.com./




Good luck

__________________
Shea

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Although I don't know the original CFM rating of the 4A1's, I have successfully pulled of a Weber conversion using one 2bbl 40DCNF.

check it out here...
http://www.geocities.com/johan01.geo/Weber/Sol2Webp1.htm

Other alternatives would be a 4bbl Holley spreadbore.

good luck,

__________________
Johan Limcangco
Manila, Philippines
79 350SE (W116)
86 230E (W124)
http://www.geocities.com/johan01.geo

What exactly is the carb doing or not doing that requires its replacement? These carbs can be a PITA, but some of there problems are correctible.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

well, most of the linkage is shot and redneck-engineered. The problem came that it would idle properly, but when giving it gas it would sputter and die. I *belive* the problem lies in the small cam that opens the fuel flow from the front butterflies. Mine is not warped, it's on the opposite side of the engine from the exhaust, so if anyone has a warped one with possibly salvagable innards I might could get it working again.

That sounds more like a vacuum leak to me. You might also check the bypass bores to see if they are plugged. These are little fuel outlets just above the primary throttle plates that provide fuel to transition from the idle circuit to the main jets.

Send me an email address or a fax, and I'll send you the diagram.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

no, the carb's internal linkage is shot all to hell.
The chock sticks and locks the front barrels closed, and even at full throttle the secondary barrels never open bacuse there isn't a proper connection in the linkage.
There are vaccum problems as well, but the car was running fine for about 2 weeks after I did a lot of work on it, then the carb started having the problems.

The secondaries are vacuum operated and the choke is controlled electrically and by coolant temperature. If the choke and the secondary "flaps" are sticking, then this can be due to warping - the shafts bind against the holes.

There have been a couple of 4A1's on e-bay and they keep not selling. You might also try TMC at 410 789 7896 and see if they have a parts carb.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

I may be mistaken here, but I recall my Solex 4A1 to have mechanical secondary throttle plates, but the 'flaps' on top were vacuum operated -- there's a dashpot that opens it, and it there's a spring to snap it shut.

BTW, the Solex 4A1's are known to warp from overtightening the mounting nuts in the corners and also the aircleaner bolt. So even if its not mounted on the exhaust side.

regards,

__________________
Johan Limcangco
Manila, Philippines
79 350SE (W116)
86 230E (W124)
http://www.geocities.com/johan01.geo