Just got back from a 2,548 mile trip from Florida to Michigan & return in my '69 230/8. Non-stop on I-75 except for a visit to the Air Force museum in Dayton, OH & a stop at the MB dealer in Cincinnati. Car ran flawlessly except for a leaky clutch slave cylinder. Went bad after I replaced the master cyl. before the trip started. Was OK on the road once everything warmed up; but those 22 deg. nights in Dearborn started the seals leaking.

After 29 years in MB diesels the straight six is a pleasure in smoothness & quietness. But with that comes a sacrifice in economy. I averaged 22.51 MPG whereas a diesel would get 33 - 37 at the same avg. speed. So my question is does anyone know if I could replace the Zeniths & the intake maniford with a single Solex carb like on the 219 (105 body style)? They'e both M180 engines with the same stroke, slightly different bore. And if it could be done would it give better mileage? A manual choke would help extend engine life, too. I know it won't have the same power but just so it can cruise at 65 is OK w/me. Don't want to change the drivetrain configuration like going to a lower rear axle or a 5 spd. (has a 4 spd man now) - this small (2.3L) six need all the RPMs it can get.

I know there's other alternatives like going to Webers but I'd like to try the small Solex if it would work. Any comments? Thanks.

Cal