Why is it this hard to find someone local to tune carbs, and work on my baby

Markos

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Do you feel that someone needs to be a BMW specialist to work on BMW Webers, or one carborator is like another? I met with a shop here who works only on American carbs, which makes zero sense to me. Thanks much.

My ignorant opinion is that all downdraft webers are essentially the same. The tuner would likely benefit from BMW specifics like the factory idle RPM, redline, displacement, factory hp specs, fuel pressure, all that stuff. Sounds like a good question for Steve.
 

Ohmess

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You will have a hard time finding a BMW Weber specialist. BMW did not ship cars with Webers; they were installed as modifications made to cars originally designed for other carbs.

This is important because there exists no standard reference material for a BMW with Webers. And often folks who install Webers make other mods, like pistons or cams or headers or electronic distributors, which makes it complicated to try to replicate what someone else is running.

Fortunately, people who can tune carbs can usually translate their knowledge pretty readily from car to car. Seek out an old school carb guy.
 

climbernyc

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And please don't take your E9 through a car wash! Ask Steve about pressurized water and drainage issues!


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Stevehose

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Downdraft Webers are the simplest of carbs for these cars. The 32/36 dgav was a common swap for the Zeniths when the mechanics back in the day couldn't figure out the Zeniths. They leave power on the table but they run and idle well. Once installed correctly they only need to be set for best idle with the mixture screw - very easy. Usually any other problems are synchronization/linkage related which takes a little more attention to figure out but it's not rocket science. Surely there is someone left close by that can do this for you, maybe an Alfa or Mercedes guy. And tell him to "forget" to reattach the distributor retard vacuum and cap it at the carb.
 

scottevest

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Bingo! I met with my shop and Boise who told me that they could install the new Weber carburetors and have another shop that they know nearby properly tune them. I do not have to go all the way to California to have this done although I was honestly looking forward to a road trip and may go there anyway separately. I do believe that Bill Arnold can do this work for sure and much better but 800 miles to install carburetor seems excessive. I'm getting the car repainted as well. Not doing a full on down to metal restoration but it should look awesome when I am done.


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scottevest

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Decided to go for a road trip to SF to visit Bill Arnold with a poodle in November. Here's my current list, which doesn't include body work, which will be done in Boise when the chrome bumpers are installed this winter.



  • install a new fan for radiator - I have parts

  • Install new carbs and tune properly for my altitude 5900’ - I have the parts other than the gaskets and jets

  • Fix accelerator. only depressing about 50%

  • Install antenna -

  • Adjust front seats: put two 1/2 inch nuts on each side of the seats at the front, this tilts the seats back enough and makes them very comfortable. https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/threads/front-seat-tilt-mod.20076/

  • Clean Gas tank and sensors and filters related thereto

  • Windshield washer fluid cleaner not working

  • Any adjustments you recommend to suspension, e.g. Suspension is key, Bilstein HDs, Suspension Techniques anti-sway bars 28mm Front, 23mm Rear on center hole with urethane bushings. Front sport springs, rear stock with new rubber all around. Gives a 7/16 inch drop at the front and gives an even reveal from the top of the tires to the fender lips front and rear. Adjustable negative camber plates fix the left right camber difference of the car and make the steering closer to neutral.

  • Pedals are too close: pull the brake and clutch pedals and give them a gentle S curve to offset them to the left and up a bit.

  • 5-speed transforms the car and increases fuel economy over the 4-speed. HOW EXPENSIVE IS THIS?

  • Heater bypass valve, second best modification. Makes the interior much cooler and pleasant, yet when you want heat it's there. https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/threads/heater-bypass-valve-diy-in-progress.10824/#post-128141 Not sure if needed

  • Rear shock towers, be sure to reinforce them as there have been noted failures from metal fatigue. https://www.e9coupe.com/forum/threads/heartbreak-broken-rear-shock-mount.18208/

  • Select hoses and wires should be replaced

  • Teach me how to set choke- supposed to pump 3x quickly to set but not working.

  • tire place said "nut on pitman arm is loose -may need to drop the crossmember to get the nut gear box leaking" and not properly aligned as a result --Gearbox is leaking slightly. May be able to put a power steering sealant on it

  • Steering wheel not completely centered

  • adjust idle as needed

  • Sunroof often needs manual interaction to get moving open.

  • temp/Freon adjustment for AC is not working.

  • can't get either headrests to go up/down -stuck https://e9coupe.com/forum/threads/headrest.26271/#post-198510

  • the center console where gear shift doesn't seem to be properly in place and needs to be adjusted
 

scottevest

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Well, Bill Arnold installed my brand new Webers on my 74 coupe. WOW. It runs SOOOO much better. I recorded this short video where he explained how to tune/adjust for altitude. It drives like a new car. Bill said my old Webers were spent, and in dire need of replacement.
 

rsporsche

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excellent news ... it makes such a difference when you have a real BMW pro work on your coupe ... the smile you end up with far outweighs the cost.
 

scottevest

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excellent news ... it makes such a difference when you have a real BMW pro work on your coupe ... the smile you end up with far outweighs the cost.

Bill knew everything about the vehicle. It was unbelievable.


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Markos

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Interesting, I wonder what was actually worn out on the webers to actually have to put new ones on? Other than putting a kit into them and at worst, new throttle shafts and bushings, what else can go wrong with them?

I would imagine that if you are paying Bay Area rates to rebuild your carbs it’s just better to swap in new ones. Weber down drafts are pretty cheap.
 

scottevest

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Interesting, I wonder what was actually worn out on the webers to actually have to put new ones on? Other than putting a kit into them and at worst, new throttle shafts and bushings, what else can go wrong with them?
I have no idea but you can watch this video where i think bill describes it
 
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