1971 IIA 88" Get back on the road project

[RustCollector]

Those two classics next to each other is a nice shot. They both look great in "patina". I'm glad your daughter chose the Rover to polish up.

As for carbs, I have read on this site that the Rochester set up is better at higher revs, and perhaps less good at low revs. Also, it has a reputation for not plugging up with sediment, and being a dirt simple device.

I have read that the Weber is a better low rev, all around driving carb. Also, it has a reputation for fouling the main jet with dirt from the fuel tank.

I don't think I've read much about the Zenith that I remember, except for the warping issue that you mentioned.

I have the Weber 34 ich, which is probably the one you are thinking of. I replaced an older 34 ich with a new one just a few years ago. Rebuilding the old one the second time didn't fix the issues, so it got replaced. I have had the issue with the main jet getting clogged, and I've gotten good at fixing it quickly (a new gas tank solved that). I will say that it is a good unit for around town and on the beach. I don't seem to get much beyond 60 on the highway, even with an overdrive (which is probably a good thing), but others say the Rochester can get you more speed.

I bet others with lots of experience will chime in. I only have experience with the Weber, and I do think it works pretty well. If you like minor challenges, and don't mind technology, look for the threads on the Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection set ups that a few members have installed. Not quite plug and play, but pretty close.

[series guy]

I would recommend the Weber. I have found it to be the best in terms of drivability. I always run a fuel filter before the carb and haven’t had any issues with dirt in the jets. The idle jet that is most likely to be blocked by debris is accessed from the outside of the carb and can be removed and cleaned in seconds.

[Paul D]

As for carbs, I have read on this site that the Rochester set up is better at higher revs, and perhaps less good at low revs. Also, it has a reputation for not plugging up with sediment, and being a dirt simple device.

Someone on this board once said something to the effect that as a carburetor the Rochester was a good funnel. I'd have to agree.

[worldofinflation]

Is there general agreement that a well-tuned Weber is the most fuel efficient carb?

[Paul D]

On a drive to the Owls Head Transportation Museum this fall I saw +19 mpg with a two barrel Weber 32/36 DVG carburetor. I would expect similar with a single barrel Weber. If my memory serves I used to see +/- 18 mpg with Zenith and Solex carbs. I do recall the Rochester gave a little extra power but milage dropped to 13 mpg or less.

[loose gravel]

I changed my main jet to<, IRC, a 47 or 49 for my Rochester swap in my 88 in the 70's for sea level. I was getting 18mpg. The factory set up Zenith was a year old and giving me 13mpg.

[roverjohn]

I feel like I saw about 15mpg on my first 88 with the Rochester when I daily drove it in college.

I am 6,000'+ here in Colorado. Loose Gravel, if you had a 47 or 49 at sea level, I'm wondering what jet I might need for it way up here.

[rover03]

In the meantime, my oldest daughter turns 16 next summer and she wants to start driving it. A few weeks back, she took it upon herself to polish it and it turned out pretty nice. Now, we just need to get it running better for her so she can start driving it on her learner's permit.

Thanks.

I'm not much use on this thread, as my only experience has been with Webers, which seem to be fine for me.

But your daughter driving it as her first car is awesome. This summer I taught my youngest daughter how to driving my 2A and at 15, she had the double clutching down after about 20 minutes. I told her she's probably 1 of about 100 teenage girls on the continent that can do that. I guess your daughter is one of the others.

[siiirhd88]

I ran several different Zenith carbs and all had problems from warp to stripped threads for mixture screws. The SIII 109 ran the best with a Weber with good mileage and power, but the jets were constantly fouling with debris in spite of new fuel tanks and several filters in the system. I was intending on extending the jets up from the bottom of the bowl but ended up installing the 300TDI. The SIII 88 ran the best with the Rochester, mileage was no better than 13 mpg or so but the carb was trouble free. Next best was a Weber 2V on a single carb base, from a 4 cylinder Jeep, I think. Excellent on the top end, but it was sluggish at lower speeds.

Bob

[RustCollector]

I'll add to my post about the 34ich Weber that I'm getting low teens for mileage, and I struggle to get beyond 65 on flat highways, with or without over drive. I don't run enough on the highway yet to know if my mileage at speed is better than 13mph around town average.

I'm also now tempted to make sure that my throttle linkage allows full wide open throttle with the pedal floored. If my adjustment if off by a bit, it won't allow full power. I think I set it up right with the new engine (half a year ago), but I've only just recently felt comfortable with short sprints on the highway.

[series guy]

When I was running my Series 1 with a 2.25 and Weber carb it would cruise quite nicely in overdrive at 72mph.

[RustCollector]

I wonder if I advance my ignition timing by a few degrees if that might help highway performance?

[conrad1468]

Excellent job getting it on the road! The 2 patina off roaders together are awesome!

[roverjohn]

Thanks for the comments all. I really like my 45 and the 88. My daughter is really wanting to get "her" 88 on the road so she can drive it next summer when she turns 16. I better get my ass in gear and get this thing going.

I ordered a new Weber 34ICH carb and installed it last weekend. I have run into a small problem with the intake manifold vacuum port for the brake booster. The new carb interferes with the line.

I think I have found a solution by adding a 90⁰ elbow fitting; the fitting is 3/8" flare; male on one end and female on the other.

Does anyone see any issue with adding that fitting into the equation?

[64osby]

If it seals / holds vacuum I don't see an issue.

My kids when really young hated riding in the Rover. "It's so loud.". Now they both want me to hand it over. Going to be many years before that happens, hopefully.