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Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:51 am

Okay need some help making a decision that is probably a no brainer honestly.. in the restore process motor pulled body work 50% .. have original solex single barrel 34 pict 3 carb needs new parts (rebuild) or do I go with EMPI 34 pict 3 there's only a $70 price difference for a brand new carb and a rebuild kit would like some input.. stay original or go brand new and why?

Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:56 am

Original = quality. If it needs just a good cleaning, get a gasket kit. If it needs some work to fix there are folks that will do that in the classifieds.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search..._chars=200

Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:57 am

Rebuild original German Solex, obviously.

Not even a question.

Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:59 am

I'd go with the rebuild. Your original solex is better matched to your original distributor and the quality is better. Save the $70 and put that towards getting your disti rebuild by the professionals here.

Byas

Tue Feb 28, 2017 10:52 am

RLTW_73super wrote: ...have original solex single barrel 34 pict 3 carb needs new parts (rebuild) or do I go with EMPI 34 pict 3 there's only a $70 price difference for a brand new carb and a rebuild kit would like some input.. stay original or go brand new and why?

I just bought a $15.60 carburetor rebuild kit from RockAuto.com for my carb, was fine (STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS #736), also shipping.

I also say to rebuild the existing carburetor, see www.vw-resource.com/carb_41.html and Carburetor rebuild instruction showing steel balls http://1967beetle.com/carburetor-rebuild/

Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:24 am

Volkzbitz.com

The best you can get for a reasonable price.

I mention the above because a rebuild kit can often rebuild your carburetor, of course, but the 34 pict 3 can have worn throttle bushings. Professional restoring will take care of this common issue.

Tim

Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:25 pm

Do what Tim said

Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:19 pm

Tim Donahoe wrote: Volkzbitz.com

The best you can get for a reasonable price.

I mention the above because a rebuild kit can often rebuild your carburetor, of course, but the 34 pict 3 can have worn throttle bushings. Professional restoring will take care of this common issue.

Tim

OK, do what Tim says.

Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:25 pm

The answer lays with an answer to the question of what's wrong with your carb? If the throttle bushing is good a complete overhaul is unnecessary, unless you want it to look pretty to go with your restoration. That's valid and Volkbitz does nice work.
If the throttle bushing is bad just a rebuild kit will mostly be a waste of time and money.

Either way a new EMPI carb is a bad idea because they have a very bad reputation in terms of quality.

Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:44 pm

birddog1 wrote: The answer lays with an answer to the question of what's wrong with your carb? If the throttle bushing is good a complete overhaul is unnecessary, unless you want it to look pretty to go with your restoration. That's valid and Volkbitz does nice work.
If the throttle bushing is bad just a rebuild kit will mostly be a waste of time and money.

Either way a new EMPI carb is a bad idea because they have a very bad reputation in terms of quality.

Made in China should be your 1st clue.

Fri Mar 03, 2017 5:38 pm

birddog1 wrote: The answer lays with an answer to the question of what's wrong with your carb? If the throttle bushing is good a complete overhaul is unnecessary, unless you want it to look pretty to go with your restoration. That's valid and Volkbitz does nice work.
If the throttle bushing is bad just a rebuild kit will mostly be a waste of time and money.

Either way a new EMPI carb is a bad idea because they have a very bad reputation in terms of quality.

Agree. I ran a 34 pict3 on my bug for about 30 years. When it eventually needed some work, including throttle bushings, I bought a new carb thinking it would be better than a 40 plus year old carb. Wrong. It was a total waste of money. So I then had VolkzBitz rebuild my 34 pict3. Excellent work. Lesson learned. Car runs like new.

Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:03 pm

I had Volkzbitz.com rebuild two of mine. I have installed one and am happy with the results. He sends it back to you so all you have to do is attach it and it works "out of the box".

Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:05 pm

RLTW_73super wrote: Okay need some help making a decision that is probably a no brainer honestly.. in the restore process motor pulled body work 50% .. have original solex single barrel 34 pict 3 carb needs new parts (rebuild) or do I go with EMPI 34 pict 3 there's only a $70 price difference for a brand new carb and a rebuild kit would like some input.. stay original or go brand new and why?

Also, keep in mind there are "other" new carbs. I've heard the Mexican Bocar is good but I have never had one.

Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:09 pm

kawfee wrote: RLTW_73super wrote: Okay need some help making a decision that is probably a no brainer honestly.. in the restore process motor pulled body work 50% .. have original solex single barrel 34 pict 3 carb needs new parts (rebuild) or do I go with EMPI 34 pict 3 there's only a $70 price difference for a brand new carb and a rebuild kit would like some input.. stay original or go brand new and why?

Also, keep in mind there are "other" new carbs. I've heard the Mexican Bocar is good but I have never had one.
I have a Mexican Boca that's been very good for a daily driver with a stock 1600dp setup.
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Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:14 pm

I've seen all kinds of different view points on the EMPI. I didn't know what I was doing when I bought it (probably still don't) but that car runs very well for me. I actually decided to keep it on the car and put one of my solex onto another bug that need it.

Sat Mar 04, 2017 6:24 am

When I bought my 71 super, it had a Mexican Bocar (34pict3) but the bypass screw had been replaced with a plastic plug and I couldn't get it to adjust. I ended up finding a rebuilt German Solex (34pict3) on eBay for about $70. After tuning it, it works great!

Sat Mar 04, 2017 7:59 am

I love the German Solex carbs. The only things I've seen wear on them is the throttle shaft bushings. I've also noticed that if it was a high mileage carb, the accelerator linkage rods can get wear and it can have some slop/play before engaging. This wear can cause a off idle hesitation or flat spot if the wear is severe.

You can obviously rebush the throttle shaft bushings but will have to either spend time welding and grinding the throttle linkage wear or find better ones.

I think the Bocar carbs are the second choice in regards to quality. The EMPI carbs are door stops IMOP.

Here's what I found on an EMPI 34-3 that was on a just purchased bus. It was removed and replaced with a rebuilt/restored German Solex 34-3.