I have a 1969 roadster. It came with triple Weber carbs, fuel pressure regulator mounted on the firewall and an after market fuel pump.
Does anyone know where I can get ACCURATE INFORMATION about which jets are supposed to be in each carb for good STREET PERFORMANCE? I am trying to get as much information about the proper setup for this system so that the car will run more SMOOTHLY. A local jag club member feels that it will not take a lot of time and money to get these Webers to run better.
I am also considering finding a triple set of Su carburators and intake mnifold and putting the original carbs back on this wonderful car. I don't need high performance, just a smooth driving street XKE. If I did sell the Webers and got the triple Su's, where could I sell the Webers and manifold and for how much? What would the triple Su setup run me? Would it be an overall "even exchange"? I would appreciate any information and advice you folks could give.

Jaguar XKE, roadster, 1969

Submitted by SC38-21185J on Wed, 07/06/2005 - 09:38

I would first go to the Weber site to see what jets are recommended for your car. You might have to remove one of the jets to see what you have first: http://www.webercarburetors.com
I would also check the input pressure of the gas at the carbs, making sure its not too high or too low, and, make sure they are all getting the same pressure. Depending on the cleanliness of your fuel, you may have a lot of dirt-in-the-tank issues. Have you ever taken one of the Webers apart or taken a look in the reservoir bowl?

There are lots of shops across the US that work on Weber carbs; you may want to do a Google search of "Weber Carburetors".

If as you state you want a smooth running car, then the 3 HD8 SU's will perform nicely (the correct carbs are 2 Zenith-Stromberg). Most folks sell their webers on EPay, and depending on condition of the carbs, you can get anywhere from 2 to 4 grand for the set...it just depends on who or how many folks with MONEY are shopping at the time; otherwise you just get a bunch of bottom-dwellers who are looking for something for nothing.

Likewise, there are sets of triple SU's that show up on EPay as well. Some look nice, but most look like crap and are all rusted up. Figure about a 1500 or more for a used set on EPay, then rebuild kits for all three as well as cosmetic polishing. If I were you, I'd sell the Webers for whatever I could get for them and then buy three NEW SU HD8 carburetors, otherwise you will spend a lot of time restoring an old set. (Easy for me to spend your money) http://www.burlen.co.uk/

I would be leary of folks who want to sell you a set that they just rebuilt. I'd rather buy a set from an outfit like XK's or Terry's where you know they were probably done right, and where you have an avenue for return if there's a problem. I've bought too many "just restored" items only to find the person did a poor or crappy job of it. Joe Curto may also be another good source for carbs.

There's really no such thing as "even exchange"; someone always gets the short end of that stick.

Or just keep the Webers and take it to a performance shop that knows what they are doing and have it tuned. There's really no reason why the Webers won't work well on your car. They are top of the line units for Jaguar E-Types. I'd be looking for other problems too such as dirty gas; ignition and timing; fuel pressure, etc. Neither the Webers nor the SU's are "set and forget" units. They will all require TLC.

My 2 cents.
Patrick McLoad

Submitted by NE52-32043 on Wed, 07/06/2005 - 09:22

IMHO, Triple SU's are the best alternative for the street. Webers are a good option if you're planning on racing the car, but jetting them can be tricky, and they tend to "load up" when stuck in traffic causing the engine to idle roughly and need to be blown out now and then with a wide open throttle. In terms of power, unless you also have had some engine work done including more agressive cams, damper, etc., you're not going to get significantly more power out of the Webers than you will from the SU's. The SU's are much easier to adjust and maintain, IMO. I have triple SU's on both my '69 and '70 and love them.

BTW, Triple SU's were not the original carbs on this car. The '69's had dual Strombergs with the start of emissions controls. They robbed the engine of power. The triple SU's restore the car to pre-emissions performance. It's the best single improvement you can do to a Ser. II E-type as far as I'm concerned (that, and tubeless 6" Dayton stainless wire wheels).

Steve Weinstein, JTC-NJ
'70 XKE FHC, '69 XKE OTS

p.s. If you want to go to the old dual Strombergs, I have a spare set including the manifold that I'd be happy to sell you at a very reasonable price.