Ford Transit mk2 carburettor choices. Advice pls!

[danthecapriman]

As a lot of you know I've got a mk2 Transit, it's fitted with the good old 2.0 pinto engine which is in perfect fettle having only covered 20k miles from new.

 

However, being a 1985 model means it's fitted with the infamous VV carb. It runs ok but no matter what is done to it, it never seems to run as sweetly as my Capri (1.6 pinto) which has done nearly 140k miles and has a weber direct replacement carb.

The Transit always seems to start easy enough but is a bit rough and smokey on choke (auto, water choke) and once it's warm and off choke it's a bit hit or miss running nicely or not.

I'm keen to do away with the original VV carb, I've never liked them and even back in the day the majority were quickly changed for a weber of some sort.

Another thing I'd like to get out of this, while the van goes well enough now I wouldn't mind trying to squeeze a bit more out of it! Obviously the direct replacement type weber carb will improve this over the VV, but a 32/36 twin choke should be just the ticket.

 

So, here's my options.

1: buy a weber direct replacement carb, dead easy to fit but I can't find an auto water operated choke version, manual only so I'd need to fit a choke cable to the cab somewhere. They are also fairly affordable.

Link to the carb http://www.webcon.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=739

 

2: buy a weber 32/36 twin choke carb, with water auto choke, downsides are that I'll also have to buy a replacement inlet manifold and I can't use the vans original air filter set up so an aftermarket one will have to be used. They also aren't exactly cheap!

The air filter thing is a bit of a pain really as I'd like to keep the van looking original, though it's not a really big deal I suppose, and I can easily keep all the old bits a refit them if I ever want to.

Link to the carb http://www.webcon.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=1024

 

3: my least preferred option, retain the VV and put up with it's shitness!

 

 

Im quite keen to try a 32/36 twin choke, I've used them on Capris before and they are great but I've no idea if it'll be worth it on a Transit! It's a hefty old lump being a long wheel base high roof model and I'm not sure it'll be worth it in such a vehicle!

On the other hand it's a camper and doesn't get used that much so it's not exactly heavy or being loaded up with pallets of bricks etc etc.

Also, I know the last Capri I used with the twin choke used a fair bit more fuel than my current Capri does, so if you add that to the extra size and weight of a Transit van will the fuel economy suffer much? It's not great now but I think that's another problem caused by the current VV carb.

Also, not sure if it matters too much but the 2.0 pinto in my van is a commercial vehicle spec one, so it's not exactly the same as those fitted to cars.

 

I'm just interested in other peoples opinions on this really, before I spend my money.

 

One last thing! I'm categorically not interested in engine swaps! I love the pinto and as far as I'm concerned it still pisses all over any modern engine, so there!

[cros]

What about a manual choke conversion? I fitted one for someone years ago and it made the carb livable with. You don't see the kits hanging up in accessory shops any more, ( shops have gone too) but shouldn't b too hard to make something up.

[danthecapriman]

What about a manual choke conversion? I fitted one for someone years ago and it made the carb livable with. You don't see the kits hanging up in accessory shops any more, ( shops have gone too) but shouldn't b too hard to make something up.

You mean convert the original VV to manual choke?

I'm not keen at all on the VV carb tbh. It's not great on or off choke so I think it's the carb being a bit crap in general.

 

Converting to a manual choke with a weber direct replacement carb wouldn't be hard at all. All the cable, handle etc to do it comes with the carb kit. And being a Transit the carb and dashboard aren't far from each other so fitting the cable through should be easy.

I'd have liked to keep an auto choke ideally though.

[danthecapriman]

I do have a couple of these Ford carbs,

 

 

One came off a Transit and the other from my Capri. Both are manual choke. Both are also for 1.6 pinto's though so would probably need a bit of adjustment for the 2.0.

I'm not sure these are worth bothering with either tbh. For £150 odd I can just get a brand new weber direct replacement version which is already jetted and set up for the 2.0 and it'll be more reliable and work better than these old Ford carbs.

[fordperv]

Personally I would be fitting a 32/36 I found my mpg improved on my Capri when I swapped from a vv as you said you can keep the original parts to one side as it's all bolt on stuff

[danthecapriman]

Personally I would be fitting a 32/36 I found my mpg improved on my Capri when I swapped from a vv as you said you can keep the original parts to one side as it's all bolt on stuff

That's what I'm leaning towards I think. I think it's going to be the best all round option for what I want out of the van.

It's not the cheapest option though when you lump in all the other stuff I'll need. Do you think it'll work ok in a Transit? Obviously they're intended for cars not big vans!

I've just got visions of doing it all and then when the time comes to use it it just drinks more fuel and still doesn't shift any quicker!

[fordperv]

I put one on a mk2 horsebox for someone years back, it didn't set the road on fire but it drove much better, can't say anything on the mpg front though I only drove it on a test drive

[Rocket88]

If you can find one, 38DGAS

[danthecapriman]

If you can find one, 38DGAS

Isn't that for the V6?

[NorfolkNWeigh]

When I was a lad the default answer to any Pinto carb problem, was; " Chuck a 38 DGAS on it" .

But of course there were V6 Granadas everywhere to rob them off, Manual choke and a heavy right foot cured any flat spots that seemed inevitable with this solution*. We convinced ourselves that both chokes opening together instead of progressively like a 32/36 gave massive power gains, in reality it probably just used more petrol.

 

The cheaper solution is probably to drop a 302 crate engine in.

[danthecapriman]

When I was a lad the default answer to any Pinto carb problem, was; " Chuck a 38 DGAS on it" .

But of course there were V6 Granadas everywhere to rob them off, Manual choke and a heavy right foot cured any flat spots that seemed inevitable with this solution*. We convinced ourselves that both chokes opening together instead of progressively like a 32/36 gave massive power gains, in reality it probably just used more petrol.

The cheaper solution is probably to drop a 302 crate engine in.

Hmm, 302 eh. Didn't think of that...

 

Funnily enough my 2.8 Granada still has it's original Pierburg Carb on it. I was going to get a 38 DGAS for that but they aren't cheap.

I've got a good spare V6 Pierburg somewhere too, maybe that'll fit!?

 

 

Seriously though, I think the 38 DGAS would probably make it less usable tbh. It's going to drink fuel I think.

 

I'll have a look at how much a complete 32/36 set up is likely to cost, I'm fairly certain it'll be the better option.

[fordperv]

I will say I didn't notice any real gains when I put a dgas on my cap it just roared louder when you pressed the loud pedal, i imagine if you had a massive lumpy cam youd see some benefit but 32/36 webers are good to 150-160 bhp anyway with a couple of tweaks

[danthecapriman]

I will say I didn't notice any real gains when I put a dgas on my cap it just roared louder when you pressed the loud pedal, i imagine if you had a massive lumpy cam youd see some benefit but 32/36 webers are good to 150-160 bhp anyway with a couple of tweaks

Noted!

I'm not expecting great gains if I'm honest. It's a 32 year old Transit van so making it a bit quicker is probably meaningless in reality.

It's always going to be held back by being a commercial spec pinto and lugging around a big heavy body, but if it gives it that little bit extra and makes it run smoother and more efficiently then I'm happy.

It's also going to be used for going a bit of distance once I'm finished building the rear camper set up so I don't want to be trying to drive it a few hundred miles and getting annoyed with the VV carb dicking around, and not idling very well. It needs to be usable and as reliable as it can be.

[sierraman]

From what I remember the 2.0 used the 2.0 Granada carb with the stepper motor on it.

[danthecapriman]

I've had a look at prices for a complete 32/36 set up. It's not cheap!

 

I'd like to get one still but at the moment my priority is with my Capri resto so I don't think spending that much on a shiny new carb for this is a good idea at the moment.

I might have a look into getting one a bit later though. For now I'll see how the emissions test goes on the MOT and think about it then.

Maybe getting a much cheaper direct replacement carb with manual choke will do the job for now.

[fordperv]

Just out of curiosity Dan how much are they with manifold etc these days? Last one I bought was about 12 months ago but that was the carb on its own manual choke and that was £180

[danthecapriman]

Here's a complete kit. http://www.burtonpower.com/weber-carb-kit-32-36-dgav-sohc-ford-pinto-webpfo102.html

£460!! Brand new obvs, stuff like this I always try to get new if I can, some used stuff I've found before is properly fucked and it just saves further time and aggravation fixing other peoples crap!

[fordperv]

I completely agree, you know it's right then, just looked on the link what I found funny is they have used the picture of a manual choke 32/36

[danthecapriman]

I completely agree, you know it's right then, just looked on the link what I found funny is they have used the picture of a manual choke 32/36

Yeah, they used the same pic for both types, but they do list both types. Oddly that place are selling the full kit cheaper than the manufacturer!

[coalnotdole]

Bin the Pinto and fit a York.

[danthecapriman]

Bin the Pinto and fit a York.

Yeah, but it'd never start then!

[fordperv]

I use these guys for new carbs always had good service from them

 

http://www.fastroadcars.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=2

 

I've just looked and Burton are cheaper than them for the kit as well

[Asimo]

1 3/4" SU.

Or a pair of 40 DCOEs.

Obviously.

[danthecapriman]

I think I'm just going to wait until next months pay before I get the complete kit. I'd really like to stick one on the Transit now!

I think I'll just be wasting money getting the cheap direct replacement carb, and I don't want to fit a manual choke then have to remove it again later when I get a 32/36.

I'm sure it'll be ok on the shit VV for a bit longer.

[danthecapriman]

1 3/4" SU.

Or a pair of 40 DCOEs.

Obviously.

A pair of DCOE's might just be a tad wasted on a Transit van! They're expensive too.

[Stixy]

Check the engine code  as its probably a low compression 2.0  , if it is  you wont see any benefit from an uprated carb  but it will guzzle a lot more 

 

Engine code is stamped into the bottom lug on the block exhaust side  

 

NE , NET  is High Compression     NAE ,NAT  is low compression  

 

These are great carbs

 

 

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WEBER-34-ICH-CARB-CARBURETTOR-FORD-TRANSIT-P100-PICKUP-1-6-REPLACES-VV-/160844094207?fits=Car+Make%3AFord&hash=item25730e1aff:g:8CMAAOSw7ThUnXQD

[danthecapriman]

Check the engine code  as its probably a low compression 2.0  , if it is  you wont see any benefit from an uprated carb  but it will guzzle a lot more 

 

Engine code is stamped into the bottom lug on the block exhaust side  

 

NE , NET  is High Compression     NAE ,NAT  is low compression  

 

These are great carbs

 

 

 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/WEBER-34-ICH-CARB-CARBURETTOR-FORD-TRANSIT-P100-PICKUP-1-6-REPLACES-VV-/160844094207?fits=Car+Make%3AFord&hash=item25730e1aff:g:8CMAAOSw7ThUnXQD

It is a low compression pinto. That's why I wasn't sure if there'd be much if any benefit to using a 32/36. That's the direct replacement carb kit, I've used a similar one before on my Capri. They are really good and so easy to fit.

[Des]

A long shot but would the VV respond to a bit of a clean and replacing the diaphragm?

Or forget that nasty ebay scam site and have a twin choke for single money.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/WEBER-CARBURETTOR-GENUINE-FORD-PINTO/dp/B00QX1V7MK/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1471165520&sr=8-2-fkmr0&keywords=WEBER+34+ford

[gordonbennet]

From my days with twin choke Webers, i don't recall ever using choke, couple of pumps on throttle shoved in enough to start on, keep it feathering on the throttle for 30 seconds or so, job done.

 

Also so long as you keep off the second choke, they proved a lot better on fuel than the cheap and nasty fixed jet carbs usually found on Fords.

[mercrocker]

Hmm, 302 eh. Didn't think of that...

 

 

 

Just go the whole way and fit a 429.  

 

Think of the money you will save not having to keep 2 different types of oil filter in stock.....