Kadron or Weber Carbs

I need to replace my 40mm Solex Carbs on my 1776. I was refered to two place and two different brands. One in a dual 40mm Weber kit here is the link
store.cip1.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=C13-43-7317&Category_Code=16-02-01
Or Kadrons from AJ Sims at
www.lowbugget.com/Kadron_carb_page.html
Now it seems that they both come with instructions and phone help.
The only difference that I see is the AJ Sims will jet the carbs before he ships them out and the lower price. I want to see if anyone can tell me which one would be easier to install and which has the best performance.

Why do you need to replace your Solex carbs? (Btw, I believe Solex makes the carbs and Kadron is only a marketing company that sells Solex carbs.)

What I would suggest you do is call A.J. and talk with him about rebuilding your existing carbs, setting them up for your car rather than buying new carbs. He can update your carbs so they will be better than new. He has his rebuild prices posted at his web site.

Kadrons are looked down on by some, but set up right they are easy to adjust and are fairly bullet-proof.

AJ can set up your presnt carbs (Solex + Kadrons). He is very good with pratically getting it right the 1st time for your application!

Now, if I was concerned about having near turnkey Weber 40IDFs set up for your engine, then I'd go to John Connely and his aircooled.net He advertises a very nice 40 or 44 set up the has the right internals set up for your application. Plus I think there are other pluse he adds. HE is a sharp and reliable guy, like AJ.

I've run Wener 34s, Weber 40s and Kads on my 1776. Personally the ICTs were a piece of cake to maintain, the Kads were ok, and the IDFs are on it now and give a very noticble increase in performance. I have the CB44 heads and some p&p done, with 1.5" CSP, plus an E120 Cam and other goodies. The IDFs seem to really make it sing. A more stock 1776 will do fine on the ICTs or Kads. BUT, AJ can make Kads for screamers too,

FWIW!!!!

Jim Ward

If you buy Webers from someone like California Imports you have to remember that they will probably have to be rejetted to work in your motor. They are NOT just a bolt on. Setting up Webers to work properly is not an easy task. Trying to find someone that can set them up on your motor is not an easy task either.
Ron

If your engine is not "box stock" and has dual port heads then dual Weber IDF's or Dellorto DRLA's offer the best performance. A good linkage (like CB Performance's hex-bar setup) is mandatory.

Contrary to popular belief jetting and setting them IS NOT difficult. Any kit you buy will probably not be jetted correctly for your use UNLESS you buy it from someone like Art Thraen who will not only jet them properly (95%) for your engine but also test run them on an engine before shipping.

As long as you aren't a COMPLETE buffoon installing and synchronizing them is no big deal except that the first time you do it is always a little weird.

I still say why replace what you already have and which can be rebuilt good as new and set up by a professional. Who amoung us drive our cars to the max daily that we really need every bit of performance we can get? It is nice to talk about but is it real world practical?

AJ will also drill and install vac ports, he feels Kadrons work best with a vac advance dist.

If you decide to replace with new carbs, I would consider buying larger -- Weber 44's -- John @aircooled.net can size them for your current engine. In the future you may be thinking about a larger engine in which case the Kadrons and Weber 40's may be a bit too small but you will have the 44's which will only need to be set up for the new engine.

44's would be nice, but the ones from California Imports have 36 mm ventures (I know, I bought a pair). Those would be too big for a 1776. Also, buy the delux model. The set-up for the linkage and the air cleaner tops are superior to the regular model, which I bought. I needed a center pull linkage, so the fancier linkage set-up wasn't important to me.
Ron

Ron, Call John Connelly, also check his site, re 44s pre set up for your app.

Jim

I'm currently running 44's with 36 vents on my 1776 with P&P'd big valve heads and 1 1/2" exhaust. The carbs have 190 airs, 145 mains, f11 tubes, 57 idles and were set by "The Man" Art Thraen, and this set-up Rocks. Eddie

I bought my 44s from California Imports because their price was so darn good and they're only a 40 minute drive from my house.
Ron

Does Art Thraen have a web site or where kind I find out more about his work?

Naithen, you can email Art at acevw@aol.com. He can be very busy at times so don't expect an instant response.

Webers all the way,or Dells..
I can get new 40 Dells still..

Dells rock!

Jake- I think everyone who reads this forum, including myself, has the utmost respect for your knowledge and expertise regarding air-cooled engines. That's why I find it very disheartening when you post responses like:

Webers all the way,or Dells..., I can get new 40 Dells still..,Dells rock!

Engine size does mean nothing...
The stage of tune means everything.
There are"Motors" and there are "Engines"

These replies don't do justice to the quality of information you could offer the viewers of this and your RAT forum. I know how busy your are and can't spend lots of time with detailed replies, but if you are going to take the time to respond at all at least let the responses have a little meat. Sometimes I feel like I'm listening to the type of conversation the Rice Boys have in the parking lot at the local mall. Dells Rock! sounds more like the half stoned guy who peddles Dell computers than what level of advice I know you could offer this forum.

Jake....We don't know each other, but please continue to ignore the bozo's. You put in your two cents worth, and if some less knowledgeable non-mechanic need deeper imformation for his particular application,,,I have the sense, if he calls you direct, that you would give him a resonable amount of your time and expertise to solve his issue. Some people would expect a surgeon to send a schematic and instructions regarding brain surgery, for the do-it yourselfer. I for one have not only appreciated your responses, they in fact have been helpful in my ongoing speedster project.

Gclarke

rock-on ( we're children of the sixties)

Gary- I don't think Jake would appreciate your soliciting people to call him at his place of business for free advice. That's why these forums are a great place to get info. Pros like Jake don't have to respond if they don't want to, but if they do it would be nice if they shared their knowledge. At least give us some specifics not just generalities followed by "...". Look at the replies from John Steele at JPS Motors. Always found them to include enough hard technical info to be useful without including the do it yourself brain surgery instructions :)

Gary, it's pretty much of a stretch to compare 4 cycle engine mechanical issues with brain surgery. Also I would agree with whoever said that Jake probably doesn't want his phone ringing off the wall with basic Q&A stuff.

If anyone has a problem with the language in Jake's responses try to remember that he is not Walter Cronkite.

George, my illustration referred to the fact that a surgeon makes his living because he has a skill that took many years to develop. He has a right to ask people to come to his office, and he also has a right to charge accordingly. It is in no way incumbent upon him to spout medical advice ( for free) every time he opens his mouth. Likewise Jake, or any other trained business person who pays his rent, and supports his family with a skill or trade should feel obligated to instruct and inform ( for free) regarding his expertise. Jake, You ( George) and others do their fair share of helping speedster owners and their projects, and we should all appreciate that,,,,rather than complaining about some one saying "rock on " Hey he sound hip to me, and that's cool !

Gclarke

I think Jake could share all kinds of valuable information with this group and not loose a single customer, in fact, he would probably gain customers as people come to see just how knowledgable he is. If he shares nothing, then many don't get to learn how knowledgable he is.

Most of us know our limitations, and I don't care how much info Jake gives, probably none of us will be able to build an engine that will sing the way Jake can build it. Head knowledge is one thing, experience is something very different.

Theres nothing like talking about someone in front of them....

Guys,
I get too wound up alot of time...

The fact is that soon things are about to change here.... a good female to answer the phone, and schedule conversations for me with serious customers and no direct emails are just a portion of my second generation plan....I simply have no more time, and have gotten too far out of the shop. (my phone won't even ring in my shop after the end of the month)

I still plan to visit forums 2 days a week, but thats all. My new cooling system, my revisions to my engine line up, and backlog have really taken its toll on me in the past 3 years....

In the past I could make 4 paragraph posts, and still do when something detailed needs the attention....But, there just is not enough time in a day anymore.

I put my ass on the line everytime I make a recommendation anywhere in public. Some guy tried to sue me because I made a cam recommendation and his engine ran hot..

This just isn't like it used to be, wish it was but it seems everyone has a double edged dagger in their hand waiting to see you turn around!

BTW, I will be answering direct questions about tune and etc on my personal forum only, after Aug 1....atleast thats my forum, and when I get the knife in the back the guy got the word on my turf!

Jake- Thanks for taking the time to respond. Time to put this thread to bed.

Jake, it's good to be busy. It sure beats the alternative.

Your web site is excellent and does a good job communicating what you do, and what is available from you. That alone probably eliminates a lot of phone calls because people can get the answers they need without having to call. For that reason, I would encourage you to update your web site as soon as possible with the changes and additions as you make them. That way those that are interested can keep up to date on what you are doing, and what is available, without having to call.

(Message Edited 7/19/2003 12:29:15 PM)