Weber carb adaptor plate doesn't fit

[Element103]

Hi all,
New to the forums here, but I recently decided to get serious about my battered little 720. Part of that meant installing a Weber 32/36 DGV. Exciting stuff, right? Well, I did my research, ordered my kit, discovered the fuel inlet on a manual choke carb is on the wrong side (hope that tidbit helps someone else; I sure could have used it before ordering lol.) Then I went to town on my vacuum lines. Finally, I was ready. The moment had arrived!
The moment quickly died once I discovered that the carb adaptor plate didn't fit the studs on the intake manifold. Did I get sent the wrong adaptor? Or is this a known issue I haven't run across on them there interwebs? I've got the 1986 720 with the 2-bbl carb, which is fairly uncommon. Did they perhaps have different manifolds? Thanks in advance for any and all help, sympathy and/or trolling...

[datzenmike]

Hi Element and welcome to Ratsun.

 

After April '85 there was an EFI... throttle body injection. That manifold is very different. If you have that there will also be problems with the ignition as it uses a CAS (crank angle sensor) and the fuel pump which is 30-50 PSI and ten times to strong for a carb.

 

Maybe post a picture of what you took off???

[Element103]

Seems I was too hasty to look for help...I had the adapter reversed. :blush:

In my own defense, the adapter cutout has the narrow end over the larger inlet hole on the manifold, and vice versa. Looks illogical. So I'm probably not a complete idiot, though I certainly feel like one.

The carb is a thing of beauty. The engine started right up, runs smoothly and is much peppier. An unexpected bonus: tearing out and capping off my leaky vac system gave me more brake boost! So my brakes weren't going bad, my vacuum system was.

Thanks to datzenmike for the quick response.

[Middle man]

One newbie to another,I looked at those damn adapter plates for 2 days before I figured out placement. Then once I did the install I had the long studs into far,holding the plate above the manifold.Started it up and I thought someone was whistleing at me, bad vaccum leak,had to reinstall the right way. I also did install a small return spring to help keep the idle consistent. Yeah Mike rocks! always ready to help. Welcome

[Element103]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who had trouble...

To make up for being a noob thought I'd post a pic of the finished product, of which I'm inordinately proud. Pardon how dirty the engine is; a pressure wash and new valve cover gasket are definitely in order.

http://imgur.com/lF99P9Y

Notice the annoying loop I had to make in the fuel line. Planning on eventually moving the metal part of the line to have it come up behind the intake manifold. I don't know why Weber puts the fuel inlet on the left on manual choke carbs.

[Middle man]

Wanted to say welcome. Also on my weber the fuel line comes in from either side of the spigot, I just put the cap on the side I was'nt using.They seem to think that through very well.

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

The cap on the opposing side is loctited in from the factory so if it seems like your going to break it trying to get it out, don't worry.

 

***All manner of disclaimers apply here***

[Element103]

Wanted to say welcome. Also on my weber the fuel line comes in from either side of the spigot, I just put the cap on the side I was'nt using.They seem to think that through very well.

Yeah, I've seen others that were like that. Mine didn't come with a cap though. The hole ends in bare metal, so I'd have to drill it out and find a cap in order to move the inlet.

[Middle man]

Honestly i've only done the one on my 80,720 and I have a loop also. But I would live with the loop rather than take a drill to it. Might go back to home page and search carb install for your year. These guys know there poop.