Solex conversions and parts

[JHertzman@xxxxxxx]

 Jeff Bennett writes about the Solex conversion done on his '78 Spider in
1986, asking "Did the factory ever use Solexes on European Spider's?" and
adding "I'm not sure why the mechanic chose to install the Solexes".

My understanding (the "conventional wisdom" which is so often deceptive) has
been that Weber is tilted heavily toward making infinitely variable systems of
modular components, invaluable in development and modification work, but that
companies such as Dellorto and Solex could build quite satisfactory products
at lower cost once an application had become standardized; and that from some
time around 1970 Alfa started using all three makes, but more Dellortos and
Solexes than Webers. My 1750 Veloce parts book ('9/70) has Webers only, the
2000 Berlina parts book all three makes, the Autobooks aftermarket Alfetta
manual lists all three makes while my factory Alfetta shop manual (#2448,
1977) has Webers and Solex only, no Dellortos.

Further, in my experience converted ex-SPICA cars usually had either new Weber
carbs on adapted Spica manifolds with new US-made air cleaners, or complete
manifold/carb/air cleaner packages imported from European salvage yards, with
carb make and aircleaner type depending heavily on what came in on a
particular salvage-yard shipment, and with the more panache-endowed Weber sets
being quickly skimmed by favored customers of the package importer. The odds
on the European salvage-yard sets being from a Spider would seem to be rather
slender, considering the numbers of the various models produced; carbureted
2000 Spiders constituted approximately 5% of the I-4 cars Alfa produced with
twin double-choke horizontal carbs during the 2000 Spider's production run. I
would guess Mr. Bennett's equipment represents pot-luck rather than his
mechanic's choice, but he knows the mechanic and I don't.

The model number of his carbs (ADDHE 45) doesn't match anything in my books,
which leaves open question marks.

If it may be of any use, for the Solex in my parts book the kit of gaskets and
washers has an Alfa parts number 105.48.04.010.08/30 and a Solex part number
6.090.505. The illustration of the package has Solex' address (if they haven't
moved) Via Friedour 1 10139 Torino, telephone 7.3.843, probably obsolete. 

The reputed first choice, outside the USA, for English-speakers seeking
obscure parts seems to be EB Spares in England, fax (01373)85827, Visa
accepted. But there are other carb specialists advertising parts for Solex
carbs in the back pages of the British magazines. I would think them perhaps a
better source than a local Pep Boys in Italy unless one knows one's way
around.

Good luck-

John H. 

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End of alfa-digest V7 #132
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