Weber Conversion

[Stagless Steve]

Hi All,
I'm planning on buying and fitting the Weber carb conversion kit from Stagweber with the Ramflow filter (the dome shaped mesh filter) rather than the CoolAir or the American pancake filter. My main reason for this is that it looks like it will make the top of the engine less cluttered. Does anyone have any experience with the wrber carb fitted with the Ramflo filter? Is it a good option or are either of the others better?
TIA
Steve

[DJT]

Popcorn at the ready....

[Wheelz]

Fit the Ramflo if you want. You are unlikely to tell the difference between that and the others, except some users mention a bit of induction roar from the Ramflo, but I never noticed any.

[Stagless Steve]

Popcorn at the ready....

????? Me no understand.

[sjm]

Steve its not you, but in the past certain people used to enjoy running down the person who helped in fact put together a Weber kit.
i personally left the forum because of all the remarks, only now after a few years i have dipped my toes back in and i must admit there is still a toxic element within the forum.

So Dave DLT was just waiting for the comments on a Weber Carb!!

i have a Weber fitted from the early days and still runs perfect, in fact i have just purchased another one for another Stag (thank you Kevin) .
Kind regards Steve SJM

[Stagless Steve]

Steve SJM, thanks for the explanation.

[richardthestag]

All I can offer is that they are a bit marmite for some owners who have been there, done that and indeed have the t-shirt.

Read through past threads on this forum and you may find that performance is reported as favourable compared to a tired set of original carbs. Possibly something to do with a lighter throttle response. I am not sure that anyone ever fitted one in place of a set of Strommies in good order and state of tune. Happy to stand corrected on that one though.

You may also find that some stag owners have reported that they have encountered significant issues with oil leaks. There is an additional "optional" PCV Active Breather kits that helps contain the oil in an external catch tank. https://www.stagweber.co.uk/node/14/summary

Quite why some stag engines suffer from this and others apparently do not .... Well this may be that a part worn engine, that breathes a little more than a new built engine, gets away with the OE carb setup just fine yet when a Weber is fitted all the oil suddenly wants to be on the outside of the engine.

As Chris will be keen to point out he has sold many many thousands of these kits with only a small number of issues reported. He has now sold the business but very much keeps his foot in the door

Use the search box up top and type weber, grab a box of popcorn and make up your own mind. There is more than enough posted from both sides to be able to inform you.

I think what DJT is alluding to is that it may appear that only those with positive experiences can comment, else a certain group on here go berserk.

Tinfoil hat installed

[Wheelz]

Ask on the Stag Facebook groups and you will get a lot of responses from those who actually run a Weber or have in the past. Unfortunately, on here you will find that because of a toxic past on this topic, few will dare to bother posting their personal experiences for obvious reasons, and there is still a lot of hearsay on here from some members which adds no value IMO.

[Stagless Steve]

Thanks for all the responses. I did do a search for "weber carb" before posting my question but didn't get many useful results. I did pick up that some engines need the breather kit so I have asked Stagweber about that.
It's a shame that people feel unable to give honest responses on this forum. Provided people just stick to the facts and don't get emotional then it shouldn't be a problem, but by the sound of it that didn't happen!

[jbuckl]

It should not be difficult to get strombergs working well, but apparently it seems it really can be.

The reasons for that seem many & varied.

My 2p is that is the reason that there is a market for a conversion.

trying to be neutral here.

new Or properly rebuilt carb’s cannot fix other underlying engine issues either.

it’s sometimes similar to the trying in vain to fix oil pressure issues by messing about with pumps and relief valve springs, when the bearing clearances are worn.

if an engine is down on a couple of cylinders compression, no amount of new plugs, lead’s ignition parts, hi-torque starter motors , header tanks, aluminium radiators etc etc can fix the fact that bearings or cylinders are worn.

almost the same thinking as body stripes & stereos are more desirable or important than good tyres.

(I wish I could afford a set of new Michelins…. Never been the case though )

[Paul Kelley]

To answer your question Steve about the specifics of the Ramflo versus Coolair 'pancake', I have the Stagweber conversion fitted (+ oil catch tank) with the CoolAir filter- which is very well made and fits well into the existing air intake with the rubber gaiter. I started out with the Ramflo and nothing wrong with it, possibly slightly more intake noise but hard to say really.

I recently changed to the CoolAir on the advice of my mechanic as he has seen fires caused by similiar oil impregnated foam filters as per the Ramflo. This is in no way a swipe at Chris/Stagweber - Chris knows I am a loyal customer - and I have no other basis for the comment other than from an experienced mechanic who advised to change as there is an option. Aesthetically the CoolAir is bigger but is well designed and looks fine IMO.

As to the 38 weber conversion generally, I am happy with it, certainly compared to my old and worn Strombergs. My friend has had his Stag for 40 years and it has Strommies fitted. He has driven mine and says it is more responsive with a bit more power. BUT - lots of other variables to argue about re comparing two 50 year old cars so that doesn't prove anything, just an anecdote.

Paul

[richardthestag]

why should there be oil in the air filter and why should it catch fire?

Just asking for a friend.

[Paul Kelley]

The foam filter on mine was impregnated, lightly, with oil and that seemed to be correct. I don't know for sure, but I suppose that under certain conditions petrol might find its way from the carb to the foam and catch light.

[Wheelz]

Oily filters?

It depends on where the cam cover breather is connected, and if any oil is being blown out. If oil is being blown out of the cam cover (* some engines do some don't) and you connect it to the air filter (to collect any fumes) then the filter can get oily. I have seen many Holley conversions with this breather connection.

The simple solution is obviously not to connect the cam cover to the filter!

* My theory of why some engines emit oil from the cam cover is twofold: 1. The gauze filter is partially clogged with old oil/carbon. 2. The engine is 'breathing' more heavily due to wear/poor sealing of the rings.

My own experience led me to develop and fit a catch can and PCV system to control oil emissions. After cleaning out the gauze filter I now find that I probably don't need it anymore.

[Fortyfiver]

On my motorbike K and n air filters are oiled
Alan