Recently acquired a Defender V8 with a pair of Strombergs on it. Runs but runs like a pig at present, so amongst other things a carb rebuild was prescribed. Kit arrived today and I set about it.....only to discover that the piston in one carb weighs twice what the one in the other carb does! Which won't have helped the running!

Other than trying to find a pair of gash carbs to buy and rebuild, I'm wondering what my other options are. I doubt that the pistons can be purchased new these days? I'm wondering whether to have a go at relieving the heavy piston with a Dremel? Don't think I can easily ADD weight to the light one. Then again I don't know whether a heavy or light piston is good either!

Anyone got any thoughts?

Yeah, so I've rebuilt numerous carbs over the years, mostly dellorto or strombergs.

Anyway, heavy pistons are more stable and smoother in moving, slower to react etc. They work like a heavy balanced flywheel to smooth out lumpy running.

On the other side, light ones are mush more responsive and more suited to competition engines which need fast response and happy to have all kind of smoothness go out of the window.

So, having one of each is really not good.

Honestly, there are hundreds of places who will have an old set knocking about. I really wouldn't waste time effing about TBH. Just get another set.

Try Burlen Fuels

Perfect excuse to fit something a bit "bowler naughty"

I have no idea about rebuilding carbs, just ask the nitro car that I could never get to run!

Something like THIS would be really nice on there.  

Yeah, it's just a case of finding a pair - nothing on ebay at the moment. I have the full rebuild kit anyway and unused, so I just need the hardware!

As for the 4BBL carb - would love to but they seem to make over £500 in the end!

They are a bit pricey, but then again you need the inlet manifold as well so that's the extra.

Have a look out for HIF44 SU carbs, there are a few pairs around and I found they were less prone to problems and easier to tune. Some were fitted to Range Rovers but mainly they were found on the Rover SD1.  

How about an EFi conversion instead  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.