Carter vs Solex

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 4:41 pm

Hi Guys,

My recently purchased A1 has a Solex carb on it. Previous owner said it ran like crap with the original Carter, which I found a bit hard to believe, but he didn't have the Carter anymore. Went to a military meet yesterday and of the 3 M38A1's two had the Solex and one the correct Carter. Talked to one owner with a Solex extensively and he swears it runs much better than with the Carter. So what gives?

I've read up on the YS and it doesn't seem to be a bad carb, or hard to rebuild. Cores are also not hard to come by.........I picked up 3 good ones in a week and the week before I didn't even know what a YS950S was. Rebuild kits are plentiful too. So is there something to this Solex thing or are folks just plain lazy?

thanks,
bob

4x4M38 · Post by **4x4M38** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 6:33 pm

Hi Bob,
Probably the same argument from folks that had 24 volt jeeps and
changed them to 12 volt. They don't want to take the time or effort
to learn about the original equipment that served the vehicle for at
least as long as it was in service.

Equipped with decent or rebuildable equipment, proper manuals and
the resources of folks on this and other boards there's no reason why
the YS950 won't serve your vehicle for decades more. That and its
the correct carburetor.

This does not include the folks that ended up with with vehicles
either with no electrical or already converted to 12 volts.

I'm trying to remember if the Solex has a vacuum side. If not
how are you running wipers?

Take care,

w30bob · Post by **w30bob** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:03 pm

Hi Brian,

I'm not. The wipers are electric right now, getting fed from a 24 to 12v converter under the dash, but not fully hooked up. The wiring is a nightmare. I should have the new carb, fuel pump, PCV, crossover tube, etc, all here in about a week or so. I'll deal with the wiring after the mechanicals. In for a penny...in for a pound, as they say.

regards,
bob

Post by **wesk** » Sun Apr 23, 2017 7:31 pm

Learn to take offered opinions with a grain of salt in this hobby!

I have experience with Carters and Solex that span 45 years. I have found Solex adequate to very good where it was the stock carb. I have not found Solex superior to Carter on a jeep unless the person who told you that had a poorly maintained and poorly performing Carter his claim would remain unsupported.

The exact same principal applies to folks who are too lazy or not bright enough to properly rebuild/maintain a stock M38A1 fuel pump who brag up their new electric fuel pump.

oilleaker1 · Post by **oilleaker1** » Mon Apr 24, 2017 6:49 am

My 2 cents: Vacuum operated waterproof military carburators work fine until you get to high altitude. You lose 1 inch of vacuum for every 1000 feet you go up. At 12,000 feet, you don't have much. So, starting them up after a long climb can be interesting. There is no mechanical accelerator pump in them, it's vacuum operated. Pumping the petal does nothing. They need choke to start. Even when hot at that high altitude. I think they look better, are correct, and make your Jeep more valuable. The solex is very sensitive to dirt in the gas, and needs the correct fuel pressure. So does the carter. So, if you are spending money anyway, I'd put the original stuff on. Some guys will put a WO Carter on their L134 M38's for high altitude driving. They simply work better. YF Carter on a F134. Both have a mechanical type accelerator pump. VW bugs ran a solex stock. They worked pretty good. The ball type gross jet primary seat for the float chamber gave me some headaches. Electric choke had to be re-adjusted between winter/summer. John