Help with carb identification

[jezter]

Hey guys Im attempting to put a carb on a 78 motor.. didnt have one on it when I got it,but there are 3 carbs in the boxes of parts.Trying to figure out what year they are from so that I can order rebuild kits for them,and and if they are for the Ironhead at all (lots of misc.parts from different bikes in boxes)which one to use so here goes...

All carbs are Keihin

2 of the carbs are stamped AMF Harley Davidson towards the top and
B78ETH26 above the float bowl..and 2 stickers on top 27494-81 and i cant make out the second # on the sticker
The other is B79ESD24 and cant really make out the #'s on the stickers at all

Last one is stamped with the bar and shield Harley davidson toward the top
B28KVH22 above the float bowl
This carb also has stickers on the top with these #'s 27470-81A and -0360

Thanks for any help and direction you guys can point me in

[IronMick]

My guess is that those are not originally Sportster carbs, but are big twin carbs. The sticker numbers are actual part numbers and they do not occur in the Sportster parts catalog.

Measure the venturis at the most narrow point [nearer the back as i recall]. They will be either 34mm or 38mm. 34 is a Sportster carb; 38 is a big twin carb. I cut out two pieces of cereal/kleenex box cardboard, one each 34/38, and see which fits best.

Sportsters had a 38mm carb late 76 to 78, but after that they were all 34mm.

You can use the 38mm carbs on your Sportster, but you need to know as the jetting will be different from stock.

Do the carbs have a VOES port? Pics would assist.

[jezter]

Mick Im not sure what a VOES port is...care to explain?
and I will go take a couple pics of each rite now and post in a few min

Thanks for a guick response btw

[jezter]

ok heres a few pics of each carb...hopefully they can be identified


http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812009.jpg

[jezter]

sry lets try this again

first carbB78ETH26

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812001.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812002.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812003.jpg

2nd..B79ESD24

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812004.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812005.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812006.jpg

3rd...B28KVH22

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812007.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812008.jpg

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa415/jezter6/carbs22812009.jpg

[russzx6]

http://metrohog.com/what%20is%20voes.htm

Mick Im not sure what a VOES port is...care to explain?

[jezter]

Thanks Russ...but still not sure if these carbs have a VOES cuz I wouldnt know how to tell lookin at the carb untill someone actually points it out ...lol ..but at least I know what it is ...

[IronMick]

I found this comment with a Google search ...
pt# 27470-81, made from 1981-1987 for FL models.

There is no VOES port on those carbs. Vacuum Operated Electrical Switch. Used with electronic ignition to control ignition advance.

Here is my home-made VOES port; it is just a hole thru the flange that you attach a vacuum line [black rubber hose] to ...

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr227/mdawdy/1978XLH/FuelSystem/VOESPort.jpg

[IronMick]

Using Google i found a reference to 27494-81 by on another forum; the guy has an FX.

Measure the bores. You will find they are 38mm big twin carbs.

[jezter]

thanks Mick...ill look into it all deeper...

looks like I mite be lookin for a new carb:doh

[LuckyThirteen08]

My guess is that those are not originally Sportster carbs, but are big twin carbs. The sticker numbers are actual part numbers and they do not occur in the Sportster parts catalog.

Measure the venturis at the most narrow point [nearer the back as i recall]. They will be either 34mm or 38mm. 34 is a Sportster carb; 38 is a big twin carb. I cut out two pieces of cereal/kleenex box cardboard, one each 34/38, and see which fits best.

Sportsters had a 38mm carb late 76 to 78, but after that they were all 34mm.

You can use the 38mm carbs on your Sportster, but you need to know as the jetting will be different from stock.

Do the carbs have a VOES port? Pics would assist.

You are like the saint of ironheads,You know that? I have learned more about ironheads from you than i have any other member on this forum.You are an invaluable asset to XLF!!

[IronMick]

A few years ago one mechanic expressed the opinion that these carbs would be difficult to tune up for an IronHead. His idea was that the larger diameter venturi would pass the air/fuel mixture more slowly and might hinder cylinder head fill. But he did not know at the time that L76 to 78 ran a 38mm carb.

If you do not wish to buy another carb make up the best one you can from what you have, set the pilot screw and slow jet following the Sticky, set the main jet using hiway plug chop tests, and see how it runs.

Probably will run just fine.