Weber Carb vs Money

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Tue Aug 28, 2001 11:03 pm

I finally have my new Weber carb installed in my '69 Patrol. I have rejetted it for the elevation in my area and have gone through the first tank of gas. Was it worth it? I'd put it at the best dollar vs results value of anything that I have done to my Patrol. The engine rebuild at $2000 was great and the 5 speed trans at about $2900 installed was even better. The Weber made it all work together. At $403 plus $78 ,(includes shipping) for the jetting kit (most people won't need the jetting kit) it was worth it. 10.5 mpg jumped to 15.5 mpg. (mixed city & hiway driving and going to over 8000 ft elevation) Much higher cruising speeds (70+)and climbing hills in much taller gears. If you don't plan to keep your Patrol very long then it is to much money. But if you want a really noticeable change in preformance and mileage, go for it. Anyone interested, contact: Carbs Unlimited at: http://www.weber-carburetors.com/after.htm ask for Bob.

npca-grant · Post by **npca-grant** » Wed Aug 29, 2001 5:28 pm

Hey Gary I think Im going to start calling you Mr. Patrol!

Say with regards to engine rebuilds, I planning on having mine done soon. I found that web sight with the rebuild kit for the P40 engine. Now I just need to find a good shop... Can you give me any heads up as to what to look for... or look out for? Also, out of that $2000.00 how much was labor and how much was parts? In that the completed kit was around $500.00, does labor run about $1500.00? Or did your engine has any special needs? Oh, or did you rebuild it yourself? Any info would be great, Oh! And that 5 speed you mentioned... what is the story on that? In that this 3 speed of mine is going to be kind of hard on the MPG! Anyway, thanks again Grant

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Thu Aug 30, 2001 10:48 pm

Grant, Actually, out of $2088.79 only $800 was labor. Pistons and rings (I went .040 over bore, it needed it.) were $288. Boring was $198, Surfacing head and guides were $102, hang and align pistons $45, water pump $192.68, fuel pump $68.90. The orginal estimate was $1500. All parts were available through Nissan. I had an old friend do all the work as he has his own shop. Vincent Foreign Car Service. In Covina, Ca. 626-332-2442. They only work on Nissans and specialize in "Z" cars. He does have an inside edge with Nissan. As for the 5 speed, I must have got the last one made. It's from Marks 4WD in Australia and sold through Advanced Adapters. Basically, they take the gears from a Nissan truck (not the pick-up) and have a new case made to fit the Patrol. There was a great deal of interest here in the club several months ago but they were told that there would be no more made. There was an effort to get 5 or more people to commit to purchasing one to make it worth while for Marks to make a block of 5-10 more but they weren't interested. To bad, I haven't had to go into low range since I got it. First gear is 5.09:1 and fifth is .75 of normal high. Hope this helps. Gary

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Thu Aug 30, 2001 10:49 pm

This message has been deleted by the author.

npca-grant · Post by **npca-grant** » Tue Sep 04, 2001 5:49 pm

>>Actually, out of $2088.79 only $800 was labor. Ah, ok, so about $1288.79 in parts. That seems a bit high just for parts? Keep in mind Im a dweeb when it comes to rebuilding engines, did one in high school, and have some buds that are real gear heads. But Im an Electrical Engineer, I understand some of it, but dont know any of the key and coined terms. Thus bear with me! Now for the reason that $1288.79 sounds high to me, it is based on the engine rebuild kit I found here on the on sight, ie.. http://www.motorpower.net/pricing/p40.html For about $600.00 you get a... what appears to be a complete kit. I called the guy and he noted that this includes pistions, new oil pump... not sure about water pump, but pretty sure about valuves, valuves guides, seats and such. Ill have to call him again. Also a bit confused about your list, I broke it into two, in that List A is stuff I considered to be considered parts, and List B is the things I thought would fall under labor, in that I cant see one rebuilding an engine without expecting to do those things listed. List A: 288.00 Pistons and rings 192.68 Water pump 68.90 Fuel pump ------------------------- 549.58 List B: 102.00 Surfacing head and guides 198.00 Boring 45.00 Hang and align pistons ------------------------- 345.00 Anyway, is there something Im missing? Or is there a hi dollar part that you needed that is not part of that rebuild kit list? Any info you got would be great, in that I plan on doing this soon. As for you buddy, I just may call him up, in that it would be nice to have someone do it that has done it once before! That and I have a 240Z too, That and Im from Redondo Beach and am just out in Las Cruces on a temp assignment. I could pick the engine out of the body out here, and take it to him to rebuild, on one of my trips home. As for the 5 speed, well... if you see another ground swell of intrest let me know, I would probally go for that too! Again thanks for all your help and insight! Grant MTS at TRW on THEL

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Tue Sep 04, 2001 7:11 pm

Grant, I didn't really give a blow-by-blow on the parts but they also included rod bearings $161.16, fan belt,air filter, overhaul kit (gaskets$78.30) oil & grease and several $8-$12 items. I just told Hans to replace everything that was sick or dying. I wish that he had replaced the oil pump or at least rebuilt it and had raised the compression ratio to about 8.25:1 when he surfaced the head. With all the incidentals it does add up to $2088.79. I'm an retired areospace wienie. Sr. R&D engineer, Microwave Antennas w/Aerojet, Azusa, Ca. Space & Weapon systems. Now residing in Bishop, Ca.

npca-grant · Post by **npca-grant** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 10:19 am

Hey Gary! Yeah, I figured there were some nick nack things that you didnt list... I guess my real question is... why didnt you use that rebuild kit from motorpower? Did you not know about it, or was there a reason not to use it? In that looking at it, it has all the parts you mentioned and more. Aerojet huh? I think we have a few guys at TRW that worked there? So, how do you like Bishop? I dont know for sure where I want to retire... but I do know where I dont want to retire and that is So. Cal!!

Grant

npca-gary · Post by **npca-gary** » Thu Sep 06, 2001 4:22 pm

I just took it to Vincent Foreign Car Service and told them to fix it. "One Stop Shopping." Why Bishop? Small town with just about everything. Fishing, Hunting, Hiking, Exploring, Most roads aren't paved and go from below sea-level to 14,000 feet and we have 4 seasons. Mostly, it ain't So-Cal.