Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

Technical => 105/115 Series (105 Coupe/Spider/Berlina) => Topic started by: nadhome on September 11, 2018, 05:59:08 PM

Title: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 11, 2018, 05:59:08 PM
Greetings,

Noticed on the left carbie there is an open port, but on the right is plugged?

Thought something might be missing or broken off until I found a photo of a new set and it's the same.

Anyone know what it's for (see the attached Pic)

Cheers,
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: LukeC on September 11, 2018, 08:30:43 PM
Vacuum advance/retard for ignition

Only need one port.

These are carbs for a turbocharged engine. The jet cover is unique to them.
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: Colin Edwards on September 11, 2018, 08:43:49 PM
When a complex casting like a carby body is made numerous critical airways need to be machined / drilled in.  The cross section of the hole or gallery is critical.  After the machining / drilling is completed where galleries intersect, the penetration into the cast body must be sealed.  Usually via an alloy plug or similar deformable semi permanent seal.  Looks like this plug is missing!

However, have a VERY CLOSE look at the exposed "hole".  If the area where the "plug" would normally be does not have a machined surface - ie: has the same surface finish as the main carby body, it may not need a plug.  If the hole is part of a gallery that is under engine vacuum it must be plugged.
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 12, 2018, 07:45:10 AM
Quote from: Colin Edwards on September 11, 2018, 08:43:49 PM
When a complex casting like a carby body is made numerous critical airways need to be machined / drilled in.  The cross section of the hole or gallery is critical.  After the machining / drilling is completed where galleries intersect, the penetration into the cast body must be sealed.  Usually via an alloy plug or similar deformable semi permanent seal.  Looks like this plug is missing!

However, have a VERY CLOSE look at the exposed "hole".  If the area where the "plug" would normally be does not have a machined surface - ie: has the same surface finish as the main carby body, it may not need a plug.  If the hole is part of a gallery that is under engine vacuum it must be plugged.

Thanks Colin.  Had a close look & can't really tell if it has a machined surface around the lip of the hole.  Appears to be the same on both carbies due to their age. 

(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180911/bba086064a0dd4f851470ab8928e7157.jpg)

Seems to be more than coincidence that the picture from the UK Dello'orto website showed the same missing plug on the left carbie only?

Reason for the post is I've taken the car to a mechanic to check out an acceleration flat spot.  The mechanic specialises in Webber's & said the missing plug looks to be part of the reason for the issue and if he can't plug the hole I may need a new set of Webber's?

Hence the research & the question.




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Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 12, 2018, 07:53:38 AM
Quote from: LukeC on September 11, 2018, 08:30:43 PM
Vacuum advance/retard for ignition

Only need one port.

These are carbs for a turbocharged engine. The jet cover is unique to them.

Thanks LukeC.

So you saying the left should be open/exposed on mine?

Cheers,


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Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: Colin Edwards on September 12, 2018, 11:41:25 AM
If the hole in the carby body is able to allow airflow from the atmosphere to downstream of the choke / venturi / throttle, a rough idle and a flat spot would result.  To check this, drip a very small quantity of fuel into the hole with the engine idling.  if the fuel dissapears quickly, and the engine note alters momentarily, the hole is allowing unmetered air to into the engine. 
Jamb some Bluetack into the hole and take the car for a short drive.  Not too long as the Bluetack will melt - dont use plasticene!  If the flat spot is improved, the hole can be sealed with Permetex or something similar. 
New carbies should not be needed.  The Dellorto's are every bit as good as the Webber.

That vintage DHLA does have a design flaw however!  The rectangular plate at the top of the carby allows access to the air correctors / emulsion tubes / jets for both the idle and main systems.  This access plate has a screen cast into the wall that faces the engine.  This screen allows air to flow to the idle and main air correctors.  Problem is this air is unfiltered.  After time the screen will get dirty and less air will flow to the correctors. The calibrated holes in the air correctors will also reduce in area and flow less air.  The dirty air will also contaminate the emulsion tubes if left long enough.  The engine runs progressively richer and richer!  An overly rich mixture will also cause rough idle and flat spots and significant power loss and increase in fuel consumption.  Later DHLA's featured a white plastic cover in lieu of the cast aluminium, however dirty air to the idle and main systems remained.   Looks like Dellorto have now fixed this issue by the addition of a hose fitting to an otherwise sealed cover.  Fair chance this fitting is intended to pick up clean air downstream of the air filter!
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 12, 2018, 11:54:28 AM
Thanks Colin,

Sounds like a sensible & practical check.

Will check and post the result.

Greatly appreciate the help & very detailed info.

Cheers,


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Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: carlo rossi on September 13, 2018, 02:51:37 PM
they look spanish so the hole is not drilled thru yet
great carbs
ill buy them ha ha
seriously put them on,but check all your jettings
in them
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: LukeC on September 13, 2018, 08:30:53 PM
On dellortos, acceleration flat spots can be caused by wear in the linkage/pin for the pump diaphragm at the bottom of the carb. Once refurbished, the accelerator pump delivery requires re-calibrating. 3.5 cc per 10 strokes (done on the push rod). I have jury rigged a system to do this in lieu of not having the original Alfa tools (try and find someone that does....)

Rear/left carb does not have a vac advance port on the later engines, but the casting will be there.

Personally, I think you may need to go to a different mechanic.
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 13, 2018, 11:13:20 PM
Quote from: LukeC on September 13, 2018, 08:30:53 PM

Personally, I think you may need to go to a different mechanic.

Thanks Luke.

Unfortunately the mechanic I've been going to who does quality work is flat strapped.  Had the gearbox & heads done by him and have been really pleased with his work.  But I needed to get the heads torqued along with some other work like having the manifold ceramic coated and the flat spot sorted.  Picked someone nearby that specialises in carbies and has a dyno.
I've passed on the incredibly helpful detail.  See how I go.  If it doesn't work out, I may have to be more patient waiting for my usual mechanic in Leichhardt.

Cheers,
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 13, 2018, 11:23:27 PM
Quote from: sportiva on September 13, 2018, 08:59:41 PM
In post three the photo shows pre-pollution DHLA's
Pre - pollution dellorto's have exposed mixture screws
Post pollution DHLA's and or turbo as in the photo of your original post have captive mixture screws they are in a tube or bunker
what type of carbie do you have

Thanks Sportiva,

To be honest, I have no idea.  The pics in post three you referenced are the carbies on my car.  First was a picture off a Dell'orto website in the UK selling parts.

The Spider is an import from the West Coast in the US and converted in SA before I bought it last year.  I assume as it is a '77 that it was delivered as fuel injected & converted to carbies at some point ?  If the assumption is right, then who knows what they were lifted from?

Cheers,
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: carlo rossi on September 15, 2018, 03:33:11 PM
they are actually all correct if the later photo is yoursyou have pre poll dellortos ...nice!!
so pull them off they will need a kit through them and as Luke c said the accelerator pump diaphrams are probably shot
easy to fix pull them off and we will give you step ny step advice it is quite methodical and simple
dont buy anything yet there is 6 different types
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 26, 2018, 09:52:48 AM
Update :  The Carbies have been completely stripped cleaned and refurbished using the Classic Alfa kit.  They had many years of gunk in them and one jet near clogged.  The reported hole lead to no-where. The carbies are now back on the car, balanced and tuned.  Flat spot is gone!  The car is on the dyno today, which leads me to another question.

How much HP at the rear wheels should a stock '77 2000 Veloce put out?  From the research I've been doing the figures seem to vary a great deal and certainly lots of conjecture if the figures in specs are at the flywheel or rear wheels.  I've seen anything from high 90's to 126hp quoted as Net??

I'll post the Dyno report when I get the car back.  Just interested to see what others genuinely get on a stock motor.

Cheers,
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: Citroënbender on September 26, 2018, 10:23:13 AM
A 77 Cali-delivered car surely would have been in the thick of dépollution madness? Or did Alfa find ways around this?
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: LaStregaNera on September 27, 2018, 12:47:34 PM
77 Cali car would have been single throttle body Spica injection I suspect.
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: carlo rossi on September 29, 2018, 10:40:02 AM
OK stock as between 74 and 80 hp at rear wheels if you use a mainline dyno
dynatech will be 5hp higher
then you add approx 50hp for the losses of a transaxle giving you about 124 to 130 flywheel
thats foe an alfetta
spidewr with 105 tranny
should get 80hp to 85hp rear wheel then add  35 to 40hp for flywheel hp
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: nadhome on September 30, 2018, 08:42:35 AM
Got the cars back.  Starts, idles and runs really well.  Flat spot gone & quite responsive.  Took it for a sprint through Galston Gorge yesterday, and it accelerates out of the hairpins really well.  Used to sputter on hard acceleration on the tight corners.

Attached is a copy of the Dyno report.  Folks at Classic Alfa are suggesting this camshaft for both inlet & exhaust : https://classicalfa.com/products.php?product=EN521-11.2mm-PERFORMANCE-CAMSHAFT

Worth a try?
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: Citroënbender on September 30, 2018, 09:10:28 AM
Looks good as it is, a nice road driving setup for our speed limits and practical limitations of the car's type/age.


[Edited for clarity of expression.]
Title: Re: Advice on some Dell'orto DHLA 40
Post by: carlo rossi on September 30, 2018, 03:03:48 PM
whats the red and the blue line ? as in there are 2 cars? which is yours
because  thats 85hp and 90 hp between the 2
the torque is interesting normally it would start lower then peak around 4000rpm and slowly go down fairly flat
what is your jetting ? as you see there is a second peak at 4000 the under 3500rpm graph is  wrong or you are running super lean idles
what brand Dyno would be helpful as well looks like a mainline
sounds like a healthy engine  thou well done
also with the cams see if you can get the 10548 ....51 cam
its excellent or the cand b 10.9 mm cam dont have to modify the head
slighty less timiing that the posted one but less hassle and cost
also the spica injection was a brilliant design 4 throttle bodies  4 injectors it was a piece of art and mastery
effectively injected dellortos their only issue was they really didnt like cam change you had to modify the mechanical program
alla wes ingram in the US
which if it came with carbs and it has 90hp its probably got  10548...01 cams in already
you should lift the cover and check