EMPI reproduction 30PICT-1 Carburetor - An in-depth review

[[email protected]]

I found that one of the plugged drillings on the bottom of the bowl to be leaking fuel. Just happy to have found it before burning up.... now to determine the best repair.

[glutamodo]

JB-Weld holds up well to fuel - maybe try that, not sure if you'll be able to find correct size "freeze plugs" for those anyway.

-Andy

[SimiRon]

I just installed a new EMPI 30 PICT-1. My '64 is still 6 volt so I had to swap the choke element from my old 28 PICT-1, which was easy. Once it had fuel, the car started right up and idled perfectly. I let it warm up and then adjusted the idle speed and idle mixture, which went smoothly. No issues. The car runs great. I'm using the SVDA distributor with this carb and the stock 1200 40hp engine is smooth throughout the RPM range, with good power. So far, I'm impressed with this carb, but will see how it holds up over time.
_________________
'78 ASI Riviera Camper
'64 Deluxe Bug
'65 Delux Bug

[glutamodo]

Just keep in mind that you don't get an SVDA vacuum signal out of that carb. You're running off of the centrifugal advance. The highest vaccum signal I saw out of the ones I worked on was around 80mmHG. That is where the vacuum advance BEGINS on an SVDA. If you get any advance out of it, it will be over-advancing as it'll come in at high RPMS, and the proper time for vacuum advance out of an SVDA is at low/mid range.

However, the 40HP and centrifugal advance play together OK, which is why yours is running OK.

-Andy

[BarryL]

Has anything improved on these reproduction 30 pict-1s? Two disappointed me in the past and just wondering if there is any new feedback.

[nybug]

EMPI 30 PICT 1 are garbage! I did all the modifications that this post suggested but you can't improve something that is trash from the beginning. Yes the pictures of the modification (on this post) look impressive but crap is still crap! The fuel inlet pipe is now threaded in, instead of being pressed in. That's the only modification that is smart.
If you can have your original German Solex carburetor rebuilt. I sent mine to Volksbitz and now my Beetle runs like it should. If you don't have the original carb then find one on this site, at a swap meet or even from Volksbitz.
As for my EMPI carburetor, it is now a book end in my garage.
_________________
Owner of a 1970 Beetle.

[Fredrok]

[glutamodo]

What kind of driving do you do with it? Lots of idling and short trips, or longer runs?

For that altitude I'd probably try a larger air correction jet to let more of the thinner air into the mixture. (may be easier to go with a smaller main jet though, unless you want to drill out the a/c jet)

-Andy

[Fredrok]

Thank you Andy. Mostly shorter trips, around town, etc. Almost everything is down the mountain towards Denver so it's any easy ride that way but a long, slower, full throttle ride up the mt. going home. So while I'd like to fine tune the mixture, at the same time I don't want to run it lean on those times it's working real hard in the heat of the summer, etc.

Thanks for that and any further advice.

[daven]

Great Information!!!
One thing I got from Glutamodo's post is that I looked at my spare carbs and found a nice used 1967 (105-1 base flange number) 30PICT-1 carb. Since I'm working on my 67 bug - finding out I have the correct carb is a wonderful surprise.
Now if I could just locate a 27 3/4 inch axle shaft.
Dave

[Fredrok]

Andy,

I'm going to dig into this tomorrow to check main jet size and start experimenting from there. CIP sells a kit of 6 for like $55+. Is there a better source for individual jets or smaller kits, parts source that you'd recommend?

Also, I've read that it's best to have a 30pict1 with a power circuit for the larger engines. Does this Euromax version have one or how can I tell while I have mine off?

Thanks so much for your time!

[glutamodo]

the only carbs that don't have it were for the 1300 engine and as far as I've ever seen, have never been made in the aftermarket. In other words, all aftermarket (Bocar, EMPI, Euromax) 30PICT-1s have the power fuel outlet.

-Andy

[Fredrok]

Thank you

[Fredrok]

So a couple of things with this Euromax I found worthy of contributing to the cause, I think.

A couple of times in the past, I've had flooding while sitting in the garage and shortly after filling up (dripping from tailpipe). I found the 4 screws around the bowl tight but were not compressing the lock washers as the holes were not tapped completely (or screws too long). Possibly from using a tapered instead of bottoming tap in the blind holes. Tapped correctly, may fix that issue but I'm putting a 12V shutoff valve in the fuel system anyway. Still, would affect needle/seat action.

Also discovered my accel. pump lever contacting the gen before full travel. 5 minutes with a file on the lever to clearance the arm from the gen.

It currently has a 120 main and 65 idle jet (air correction not labeled but seems I may want to leave that alone). I found the individual jets on Aircooled.net reasonably and will order a few to try.

Thinking the main jet isn't too far off for altitude from my research but the idle jet should be around 50-55. (?)

Any opinions are greatly appreciated. Go down in idle jet but main as well??

Thanks

[vwgirl1961a]

My mechanic installed an aftermarket carb in my 1965 stock beetle months ago and since then my car has been running like crap. She has always sounded nice and now she is loud. She hesitates. I knew I should have had the original solex rebuilt but I trusted my mechanic. Where can I buy a rebuilt solex carb?
_________________
"Age doesn't really matter unless you are a cheese".

[rcooled]

[vwgirl1961a]

Thanks, going to check it now

[Ghettoman]

Forget all this cheap aftermarket carbs, go to the bug junkyard and get a old one and send it to Volksbitz or just get one from him directly. I have 3 1967 bug carbs and believe me, my bug works a hell of alot better with the original german carb. Use Volksbitz and you will be happy. He is a artist.

[tasb]

The correct SVA single vacuum advance only distributors for these carburetors is:

113 905 205 K 1966-67 used on both bug and bus
131 905 205 1966-67 bus but will work on a bug
113 905 205 M 1968 bug and bus but can be run with these carbs by setting static timing to 0 degrees TDC
113 905 205 T 1969 but same info as the 113 M.
_________________
Roads Scholar &
1957 Kombi low mileage 36 hp governor equipped M 178 Slow Drag Winner 2014, 2015, 2018

1965 hardtop Deluxe Microbus owned since 1990 M 620 factory 12 v 1500cc

1961 (October)Single Cab- Road Trip Workhorse

[Fredrok]

I'm running a rebuilt 205T from tasb with the Euromax. I ended up installing 117.5 & 55 jets (at altitude) and the combo is very happy. Had to replace the acc. pump shortly after getting all of that figured out due to stumbling off line.

The only issue I'm seeing now is it tends to run out of gas (literally) if I spend a little while at high rpm, like getting up a mountain. Fuel psi is right on at 2.8 with a freshly rebuilt Pierburg pump (did same with old Brosol) so I've been incrementally bringing up float level to trouble shoot.

I'm also considering going to an H30/31 from Volkzbitz if this one gives me any more trouble.