engine and drivetrain Weber Carburetor Question

[willie002]

I’ve done a quick search and didn’t fine exactly what I’m looking for. The Weber 32/36 on my 1974 just pooped out and so I need to rebuild or replace the carburetor. After pricing it out it appears that a new one is a little cheaper then having it rebuilt. My engine is stock but it does have Pertonix ignition. My question is whether to stay with the 32/36 or step up to the Weber 38. I’m not sure what the benefit would be and if it would be worth the little extra investment. What additional improvements would be required to things like the stock intake manifold?

Any information would be appreciated………..bill

[Dave_PA]

Hello Willie,

Please don't take this the wrong way but this conversation has been discussed over and over on the faq. if you search for either 32/36 or 38/38 you will get all kinds of information.

Personally i had a 32/36. It worked, but i didn't like the progressive feel. I put the 38/38 on and was super impressed with it's results. Some claim that the carb is more of a gas hog. It might be, but I didn't notice it (minimal at best...1/3 of a gallon...MAYBE). But I also don't put a lot of miles on my car a year ~2-3k...So the fun factor for me far outweighs the few bucks of savings.

HTH,

Dave

[c.d.iesel]

for Best all-round:

performance,

fuel economy,

reliability,

smoothness,

joy,

sound,

tunability = Go 32/36

[bluebmw]

I say 38/38 having just made the change myself fairly recently from a 32/36. Makes the car a bit quicker and much more fun to drive. MPGs aren't too bad, but go buy a Prius if you're that worried about it.

As for C.d.'s response...

for Best all-round:

performance, -false

fuel economy, -true

reliability, -false

smoothness, -false

joy, -subjective

sound, -false

tunability = Go 32/36

[Stu]

Bill, I have a 38/38 on my car (which you saw 2 weeks ago). I love it. The throttle response is so much better, with 2 larger butterflies opening at once. You don't need to floor it to get both to open, like a 32/36.

I'll be in Portland April 11-13, and you can drive my car and check it out, if you can wait until then.

Stu.

[rms_sandiego]

I'll stay out of the 32/36 vs 38 discussion except to say that rebuilding a 32/36 is a whole lot less than a new carb. Get a kit/parts from Pegasus or Redline, follow CD's jetting prescription, go wild and put on new bearings at the throat shafts in place of worn bushings, or even add a synch-link and you should still be at 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of a new carb.

[dbmw2002]

Great storyline as I too am condering a 38 special for my o2, I have heard you need to open up the holes below the carb on the stock manifold for the 38, I already have opened mine and she breathes easier. Reccomend only going for a real Redline Webber carb either way you go, a few dollars more is def worth it.

[willie002]

Thanks everyone for the information. Unfortunately I was in a hurry to get an answer because my helpers didn’t seem to want to stand around waiting for parts. I went in with the idea of getting the 38/38 but when I remembered this car is going to go to my son I backed off to the 32/36. I’m still not sure it was the right choice but last thing this kid needs is more power. I still may change my mind by morning and send the 32/36 back and get the 38/38.

If I do that will I have to buy the “kit” with everything in it or can the linkage and things be used on 32/36 carburetor? With the 32/36 I don’t have to purchase the “kit” so the price is lower. Are there additional things that have to be done to bolt up the 38/38?

Dave, I did understand that this had probably been discussed in the past but was surprised that I didn’t find much after several different sorts. I probably just didn’t do the search correctly.

Thanks again!

[Stu]

This is all you need:

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-fuel-intake/38dges.html

and

http://www.iemotorsport.com/bmw/2002-fuel-intake/38rod.html

You will need to remove the intake manifold and remove the material between the 2 plenums and enlargen the opening a little bit. Just put the gasket for the 38 on the manifold and use that as a template. I took off my manifold and Patrick did that for $50 bucks.

Stu.

[esty]

every new weber that i've ever bought came from http://www.webercarbsdirect.com/Weber_Carburetors_s/2.htm

compare prices and same a bunch