New engine runs great.....

I got my new 1915 engine running today and had it out for a spin in our balmy 11 deg C weather. NICE....like real NICE ! A big hats off here to Warren Miles of Gambrills, MD (near Baltimore) for the engine assembly....a very nice fella to deal with. Thanks to Al Merklin for his recommend. It started up nicely right out of the box. Slight hesitation as expeceted with the 009 dizzy but I haven't tweaked it or the timing yet. I'll convert the 009 to electronic soon and get on with the fine tuning. It pulls very nicely. 69 days to go till we hit the Sacred Tomato and on over to Carlisle the long way. WAAAHOOOO........

Dave, I will be picking up my motor from Warren tomorrow and will let him know that you are a satisfied customer. ~Alan

Alan, have you had any experience with the SVDA distributors with the Kadrons setup with the vacuum taken from the single Kadron(Lowbugget A.J.Sims setup)? I haven't installed them yet, I'm hoping they get rid of the 009 flat spot.

GB,
Have their system on my ride - set them up about three years ago - no flat spot and still going strong and I don't have to mess w/them.

No I have not used that set up. I am now a dedicated fan of Kadrons.
The Kadron trick is to get the accel pumps to deliver just the right amount of squirt right just off of idle position and there is zero hesitation.

Thanks Alan, I"ve run a lot of Kadron setups years ago and could usually get rid of the flat spot with the right jetting, idle,accelerator and main. I think the SVDA dist will eliminate my flat spot as all the usual jetting tricks haven't yet. No throttle plate leaks either.
Thanks for the input Dale, I liked A.J's theory too I'll let you all know.

Hey Greg,, I went with the Pertronix svda, and dual 34 Brosal's. Was very pleased with the mileage, steady pull (no more flat spot), and cooler operating temp's on my 1600cc dual port. They work well for me,, Cheers

Hey Alan,
I had the Pertronix in my 2 litre 914 and liked not having points and condenser. I'll put it in Speedy too!

Good Choice GB, considering how "convenient" it is to read a timing light on a speedster engine.

I got my car out for about 25 miles today for the first serious run on the new engine at higher speeds. It's a low key 1915 with a progressive Weber, mild cam and larger valves. I don't launch off the line so first gear was about normal, second got me into third sooner and third pulled much stronger on up to fourth where I had much more ooomph than before. It's just what I wanted...more ooomph getting up to highway speed and passing along with a zero time engine with no leaks all for under $2K. It'll get up to 0 deg C. tomorrow so I hope to put about 200 miles on it.

Curious as to if your running an out of the box jetted Progressive Weber on the 1915 with a mild cam and larger valves? ~Alan

This might wind up being a double post. Warren's build sheet says C35 cam and match ported (mild) heads with 40 x 35 valves. The Weber progressive and Scat manifold were in used, clean and "it ran well the last time" condition. I just pulled the main jet and it's a 55. After about 25 miles today I had to reduce the idle a bit. Wouldn't surpise me if larger exhaust would offer even better performance. The engine came with heater boxes that bolted right up to my existing exhaust from the stock 1600. Before the run today I tweaked the electric choke as I felt it was opening too soon. It starts very well hot or cold, but the idle initially is real slow then increases as it warms up. Cold start procedure now ( -4C ) is to kick the throttle two times, it starts right up, needs a kick or two within the first 30 seconds then let it do it's thing.

Some dislike the progressive Weber, I for one am a fan of the simplicity. i.e Kadrons and the Weber Progresive carbs, set them and forget them.
I did Rock C.'s 1835 cc motor at least 14 years ago with a Weber Progressive and he never had a carb issue. ~Alan

David, your setup sound like just what my Bridget "needs" (i.e. "will get" if/when I have trouble with the motor she came with--whatever that is)! Under $2k and you run nice right out the box! I'll be needing a one-carb mill given space restrictions under Bridget's hood. Thanks for the tip, Alan!