Weber woes, Please save me from insanity Options

[Superhawk996]

This isn’t right at all minimum. Needles shouldn’t be hanging this deep into the throttle bore like this.

There are a couple possibilities

Wrong needles
Someone has reamed the needle seats way too deep or completely gone.

Doesn’t explain why they would be leaking without engine running but if someone has done something stupid with the needle seats there are probably other issues (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

[wbgoggans]

This isn’t right at all minimum. Needles shouldn’t be hanging this deep into the throttle bore like this.

There are a couple possibilities

Wrong needles
Someone has reamed the needle seats way too deep or completely gone.

Doesn’t explain why they would be leaking without engine running but if someone has done something stupid with the needle seats there are probably other issues (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

I purchased the needles from Pierce Manifolds, so I would assume they are legitimate.

This is exactly the kind of thing I mean when I say that all of my carburetor knowledge has been built on inexperience and trial and error. I’ve never actually seen what a properly sorted set of carbs is supposed to look like or how they’re supposed to behave, so sometimes I honestly don’t know what is normal and what isn’t.

I’ll try to take some more pictures when I’m back in my workshop, but that won’t be until Monday.

At this point, I’m honestly not even sure if I should sell these carbs. I don’t want anyone else to end up getting a raw deal like I did when I bought them. At the same time, I’ve invested a significant amount of money replacing virtually everything except the carb bodies themselves, so naturally I’d like to recover at least some of that cost.

[Superhawk996]

Google


If I were betting someone has messed with the idle needle seat(s)

Not all Webers have the brass seat, insert but even so I’ve never seen an idle needle sticking that far into a throttle bore.

Do the paper towel test while you have them on the bench

[930cabman]

Second on the paper towel test, costs $0.00

Seeing the idle mixture screws, I would consider sourcing another set of carbs (40IDF) with the correct jetting. Perhaps get some seat time and later figure out what you have there

[porschetub]

I really need to thank everyone for their advice and words of wisdom, not only on this thread but for the overall treasure trove of information, kindness, and generosity that this forum provides.

This project never would have been possible without this forum, and god damn do I love this stupid old car.

You are all right—I probably should have bailed on these carbs a long time ago.

I’ve decided to list them on eBay. I’ll include the link below, and I’d appreciate it if you all could let me know whether the listing seems fair and accurate.

Also, if anyone has a pair of Weber 40 IDFs ( or dells) for sale, please let me know. I’d much rather buy a known, properly functioning set from someone in this community than roll the dice again.
https://ebay.io/m/MJRPd6

Since you mentioned comments on your auction I think you need to face the reality that even good set wouldn't sell for a lot as these have limited appeal anyway.
Sets listed on here in the past reflect that and they go for half your asking price for good used carbs which yours are not ,I would withdraw the listing and save yourself the hassle as they are little more than parts carbs @ best .
Sorry you have had these issues but it's not fair to pass on all the grief as the past owner did to you, best to put this down to inexperience and move on .

[Craigers17]

I'm not sure if Len Hoffman still has a shop there, but I THINK he still has a machine shop in Watkinsville. He can't be more than 15 minutes from you. If you ever wanted to have someone take a look at them in person, I'm sure he'd talk to a guy like yourself. I don't think he works on 914's in his shop per se, but with his experience with heads, I'm sure he's seen a few Webers before. Good luck....stay in the game. You'll figure it out.

[wbgoggans]

[quote name='porschetub' date='Jun 25 2026, 05:16 PM' post='3262797']
[quote name='wbgoggans' post='3262754' date='Jun 26 2026, 02:18 AM']
I really need to thank everyone for their advice and words of wisdom, not only on this thread but for the overall treasure trove of information, kindness, and generosity that this forum provides.

This project never would have been possible without this forum, and god damn do I love this stupid old car.

You are all right—I probably should have bailed on these carbs a long time ago.

I’ve decided to list them on eBay. I’ll include the link below, and I’d appreciate it if you all could let me know whether the listing seems fair and accurate.

Also, if anyone has a pair of Weber 40 IDFs ( or dells) for sale, please let me know. I’d much rather buy a known, properly functioning set from someone in this community than roll the dice again.
https://ebay.io/m/MJRPd6
[/quote]
Since you mentioned comments on your auction I think you need to face the reality that even good set wouldn't sell for a lot as these have limited appeal anyway.
Sets listed on here in the past reflect that and they go for half your asking price for good used carbs which yours are not ,I would withdraw the listing and save yourself the hassle as they are little more than parts carbs @ best .
Sorry you have had these issues but it's not fair to pass on all the grief as the past owner did to you, best to put this down to inexperience and move on .
[/
I think you are right. Especially after @superhawk996 pointed out the issues with my needle valves, I’m not sure what else could be wrong with these carbs so I went ahead and deleted my post.

Hell, I can’t even replicate the fuel leak anymore. For the past two days, I haven’t been able to get them to leak on the bench at all.

For a long time, I’ve just assumed that something wasn’t clicking and that I was doing something wrong. But maybe it really is the carbs or hey thrid option it coudk be me and my carbs!

I talked with Mike at Pierce this morning, and he’s helping me put together a game plan going forward.

I also really need to update the thread I started when I bought this car back in February 2020. Looking back, there are a lot of people on this forum that I need to thank for all of the help they’ve given me along the way.

[wbgoggans]

I'm not sure if Len Hoffman still has a shop there, but I THINK he still has a machine shop in Watkinsville. He can't be more than 15 minutes from you. If you ever wanted to have someone take a look at them in person, I'm sure he'd talk to a guy like yourself. I don't think he works on 914's in his shop per se, but with his experience with heads, I'm sure he's seen a few Webers before. Good luck....stay in the game. You'll figure it out.

He’s still around as far as I know, maybe I will give his shop a call.

[Superhawk996]

Hell, I can’t even replicate the fuel leak anymore. For the past two days, I haven’t been able to get them to leak on the bench at all.


I talked with Mike at Pierce this morning, and he’s helping me put together a game plan going forward.

There is information in the fact that you can’t duplicate on the bench. That is telling you the issue is

A) in the floats and/or needle seats allowing bowls to overfill

B) has something to do with your hose routing allowing constant head pressure on the fuel inlets even when the pump is off

C) Maybe somehow related to heat opening up porosity / a crack / leaky fuel galley plugs

D) combination of something above

I’ve seen a lot of Webers and Dells over the years but I certainly have never seen Spanish 44’s so I could be wrong about the needles.

However, if you’re working with the Pierce Manifold guy you’re on a reasonable track. That man has some serious experience.

Patience is a virtue with 50 year old cars and carburetors. Don’t give up.

The reality is fuel injection is way better overall but it is way more complicated. Trying to piece together a working D-jet system is fraught with peril of bad parts. Buying a new FI system from PMB or DubShop still comes lots of expense and has a steep learning curve to get that tuned right.

Either way, you’re in a learning phase. I know it sucks and you want to drive ASAP. You’ll get there. You’ve just got some lessons to learn along the way. None of us gets the knowledge we have for free. Most was earned via school of hard knocks and paying our dues along the way just like you’re going through. Again, don’t give up.

Hint: if it were me, I’d now rig up a small section of hose and a small fuel reservoir of say 8oz that can be hung above the carb. Reassemble completely with carb top and floats etc. repeat the paper towel test on the bench. See if you begin to get leakage with the bowls filled, the hose and small fuel reservoir (could be a simple 20oz bottle) filled and exerting some fuel head pressure on the needle valves.