bmwe21.net forums

Hi, I need a bit of advice on the Solex carb on my '79 316.

The carb says 'Solex DBP' on the side.

When l try to start the car it fires up and then squirts fuel from the chamber vent pipe which pours straight into the air filter housing and top of the carb and causes the car to cut out.

I assume it's the float sticking, so I've removed the carb and separated it. I've torn the gasket so obviously need to replace it.

Can anyone suggest what else I need to replace or service while it's off the car?
Clearly I'm not very technically minded and trying to do this using a Haynes manual.
I sent an email to carburettorspecialists.com asking if they did overhaul kits, and could supply a fitting kit for the Weber I've bought to Fit eventually. This is the reply I got...

IM A LITTLE CONFUSED

THE BMW 1.6 1979   HAD A 32//32DIDTA AND AS FAR AS I KNOW THERE WAS NEVER A WEBER CONVERSION FOR THIS /

I HAVE EVERYTHING FOR THE SOLEX 32/32DIDTA REBUILD KIT ,SERVICE KITS AND MOST SPARES

JUST LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU WANT BUT BY THE SOUND OF IT YOU WILL NEED THE REBUILD KIT

Can anyone tell me if the kit he suggests is the right one for my carb? Or where I can get one from?

Also, does anyone on here live anywhere near Birmingham and fancy helping me get this sorted (or maybe help me fit the Weber) for a bit of beer money?

Thanks guys

Al

There was a weber conversion for this, someone else can probably shed some light on that. If you want to go thst route my suggestion is to keep a look out on ebay and here, and post up under parts wanted.

If you read up on the solex you'll find that they are known to cause trouble after enough miles. I think a rebuild is specialist area, so if you are set on keeping it original maybe find a specialist you can have it sent of to? Or, like you say, find someone local.

I bought a new weber 32/36 dgav for my 79 316 from www.dellorto.co.uk. Matt there was very helpful and it gives a nice improvement on performance and sound. You need a gasket that builds up a little, an air filter, a smaller airfilter for the vent housing, a universal linkage wheel and linkage kit, and you'll need to cut your accellertor cable (in the right spot ) Also, you will need some hoses, hose clamps and reducers to get the plumbing sorted.

I dont know if I was just lucky, but I litterally bolted it on, fired the car up, and drove off!

So, the carb is definitely faulty. I had a mechanic friend come and check it for me.
I'm going to get a Weber to replace it and did contact the guy that E21noob recommended who said he'll do a complete setup for around £300.

So guys I'd like some advice before I splash the cash.
The bodywork on the car is fully restored but so far there's been nothing done to the engine. My plan is to enjoy the car this year then take it to Fritz bits over the winter and have some work done.
Ideally I'd like to keep the car relatively standard but would like it to be able to keep up with traffic on the motorway and be good fun on the back roads.
I don't want a track machine and am not interested in fitting a bigger, newer engine. The car is currently on standard shocks, brakes and 13" balloon tyres.

So, I contacted Fritz bits, mentioned this to them and got a quick and comprehensive reply.

Reply below :-
According to my listings, you car should be fitted with a Solex DIDTA carb, which has a rectangular mounting on to the inlet manifold. Ive never seen one last 100,000 miles without failing in some way, they were a poor quality carb in the first place.  The way I see it, you have two options-

1.        Fit a Weber 38/38 DGAS or 32/36 DGV carb to your existing inlet manifold.  Both these carbs can be jetted to suit your 1600cc displacement.

2.       Fit a Weber 32/34 DMTL Weber conversion designed for the E21 316 post 9/1980.  I think I can make this carb fit your original manifold, if Im wrong then we will have to use the later E21 316 inlet manifold, which I have hundreds of.

Both options would work very well on your set-up, my only concern is that is we are going to try to increase the power output of the engine in the long term, picking the correct carb for the future would be helpful.  The early 1600cc engine you have currently was designed as a ‘city’ engine, so it is pretty low compression and has a very restrictive cylinder head.  This means that without making some decisions about altering some of the engine components, it is going to be very difficult to get the original engine to produce any more power than it already has.

Im not sure how much of a stickler you are for originality you are with this vehicle, but I think it would be my contention, if you are planning to keep the car, to think about going to a larger displacement M10 engine (1.8 or 2.0L) instead of trying to force more power out of the 1.6.

Obviously decisions like this have to be tailored to the budget you have available and the overall result you want to achieve.
Reply ends.

So I'm looking for some help / advice. What do you folks think is the best option? l don't want to buy a carb now, that I have to replace in 6 months, but I don't have the money or tbh the inclination to do any major jobs like new engine etc. right now. We just want to drive it & enjoy it for a while.

I'' tackeling the same issue. Thinking of increasing the power but reading this... An engine swap hase more sense
Thats my opinion

So I've been offered a 2002 tii engine to replace the 1.6.

Its not going to be cheap to fit it, but I'd like to stick with the m10 rather than go for something much later.

What's the thoughts / opinions on this engine? Anything better or more worthwhile as an upgrade? I know there is a thread asking this same question but it's from 2010 and maybe things have moved on since?

What would be sensible mods / upgrades to get done at the same time (suspension, brakes etc).

Anything else I need to be aware of or other hidden costs?

Ta