79 Zagato Carburetor

[79ottozagato]

Hi Gang,

After putting this project on hold for a year, I've started to address
a carburetor problem on my 79 Zagato Spider.

The current carb is a Weber 30/32 DHTA.

My questions are: Is this the proper carb or a replacement?

What would you buy as a replacement.

I'm looking for something that I can bolt right in w/o having to tune
anything on it.

Any responses are deeply appreciated.

(No YOU SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A FUEL INJECTED MODEL jokes please)

[DJ]

Hi, Mark

You know, you should have...oh never mind. :rolleyes:

Yes, that is the correct carb for the '79 and it's not a particularly great one. If you want a good, simple bolt-on replacement you should go with a 34 DATR/DATRA (automatic water choke) or DMTR (manual choke). That would improve driveability, performance, and reliability. Even a 32 DATR/DATRA or DMTR from a Scorpion, Beta or X1/9 would improve upon the DHTA.

The biggest issue, though, is that the '79 manifold is made to fit each of the individual DHTA intake ports very closely and would need to be enlarged for any of the aforementioned options. Best thing to do is to bolt on a manifold from and earlier Beta or Scorpion in order to mount the new carb. They are generally easy to find.

[79ottozagato]

Was hoping not to have to mess with the manifold.

I do have a line on a 28/30 DHTA.

What type of modifications would I need to do with that?

[davidb]

I have a carb & manifold from my '76 Scorp that appears
stock I'd part with. Auto [water] choke, lotsa connections
for hoses. Took it off when I went to DCNFs. What model
Weber it is I dunno. Worked before I pulled it but that was
three yrs. ago. Now? I'd definitely re-build it. Caveat Emptor.
I have no clue what the carb/manifold might be worth. I'd
rather sell it to you Mark then E-Bay the thing. If you are
interested I guess we should PM one another "off-forum".

[DJ]

I do have a line on a 28/30 DHTA.

What type of modifications would I need to do with that?

That's an even smaller carb than the stock 79 Beta carb and would likely reduce your performance and drivability but it would bolt right on. You may be able to make it work adequately, especially if you fiddle with the jetting.

It's not what I would do but I can sell you a brand new 28/30 DHTA for a good price if you really want one. See link below.

http://www.classicricambi.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_248_276&products_id=547

[1,6 HF]

I have a carb & manifold from my '76 Scorp that appears
stock I'd part with. ...

Are you sure a Scorpion manifold is interchangeable? I thought the engines--and therefore the manifolds--were canted at different angles.

[davidb]

That I do not know Ed. DJ kinda implied a Scorp manny would fit.
Dunno. I have the whole setup, would like to sell it. Be nice if I
could recoup a little money. My DCNFs & manny weren't cheap.

[DJ]

C'mon guys! Have we really failed to inform that badly with this forum? :scratch:

The Scorpion and Montecarlo drivetrain is nothing more that the Beta FWD drivetrain moved to the rear. Both engines are canted rearward 20 degrees.

In fact, many printed references actually refer to the Scorpion/Montecarlo drivetrain as FWD.

[1,6 HF]

DJ,

I know perfectly well it's the same drivetrain (you seriously thought I'd missed that?), but that doesn't mean the the FWD and RWD arrangements couldn't be canted a couple of degrees different for the price of a different sump (which they have anyway).

But that answers the question of them being the same angle, in which case the manifolds are interchangeable.

[davidb]

Since I have the head off my Zag I eyeballed the block's
degree of cant compared to my Scorp's "intact" engine.
Gotta go w/D.J. on this one. Their degree of cant: same.

[79ottozagato]

I'll definitely do the Carb.....But I'd like it shipped late next week.

Will I need any gaskets with it?

Thanks.