Advice Needed on '72 Plus 2 For Sale

Looking at a car here in the Midwest US that has been laid up for about 10 years. Paint is original but crazed with no apparent bodywork damage. It reportedly runs but very roughly. It has the Zenith carbs with the cross-over tubes disconnected. Does anyone have any advice out there if this kind of setup is worth it to put back right? Or better off to upgrade to Webers or Dellorto’s? For an upgrade, what kind of money would I be looking at?

I would think…‘BIG’ money :frowning:

New Head (the Weber/Dell’Orto head is different) , carbs and airbox.

When heads come up on eBay they are often close in money to buying a complete engine :open_mouth:

I have no experience of Stromberg engines but apparently they can be made to run at least as well as (and some claim better than) Weber/Dell engines…

Peter

My 1970 PLus 2 engine looked very much like yours when I got the car in 2001. It was the earlier small valve version with a low compression head (9.5 to 1) and the same carb set up - with the crossover pipes removed and blanked off. If your compression ratio is like mine was you will be getting about 108 BHP max (just my guess from the Miles Wilkins book - no dyno results). My car (when a new kit) was bound for the States but the order was cancelled - hence the Federal engine over here in Essex.

Since that time I have replaced the carb-to-crossover pipe adaptor casting with a low balance pipe adaptor as in some UK models. The head has been ported and CPL2 cams fitted, and richer needles also fitted. The engine probably makes 120bhp. If you try harder, fit L2 cams, go for a large bore exhaust, and get a 10.5 to 1 compression ratio you might make 130 bhp. You might already have a high compression ratio head, but you can swap to high compression pistons as a way to get that ratio. You might spend $500 to $1200 to reach this stage ($1200 includes new pistons) but you have to do the spannering yourself!

If you want still more, you have to change the head and carbs for the Weber or Dellorto set up - that’s about $3000-4000. As an alternative you can get the Zenith - Stromberg head input ports machined off and an adaptor fitted for the Weber/Dellorto carbs - someone in the States might do this - Dave Bean? Probably similar money after you have bought the carbs as well.

Have fun,

Dave Chapman.

My 72 +2S/130 came as you see that one–crossover pipes blanked, carbs actually bolted directly to manifold without middle manifold but balance tubes and all–it ran fine and I drove it for a year or so but then decided to go back to original Zenith Stromberg Federal setup–but actually not driven to this point so don’t know if I made things worse!–but I think you can run it like you see it and do fine. Gordon Sauer

My 72 +2S/130 came as you see that one–crossover pipes blanked, carbs actually bolted directly to manifold without middle manifold but balance tubes and all–it ran fine and I drove it for a year or so but then decided to go back to original Zenith Stromberg Federal setup–but actually not driven to this point so don’t know if I made things worse!–but I think you can run it like you see it and do fine. Gordon Sauer

Hello, my S1 has Webers, my 1969 +2 has Strombergs, crossover tubes blocked off. The +2 has “poppy” performance, it runs just as well as the Weber model. As far as costs go, I sold a few used heads on eBay years ago, the Weber heads brought @ $1500 to $1800 each, the Stromberg heads around $350 each. And then, additionally, the Weber carbs cost more than Strombergs.
I’d try to get the car running right as is, if its performance is acceptable, drive it and have fun. I think you need to mess with non stock camshafts to get real noticable performance differences.
Good Luck, Eric

Hello,
I have a fair amount of driving time with the same engine setup as shown in a Europa TC and it performs very well. It has been off road lately but I would agree with Eric and get the +2 running properly and drive it as is.
I have a few with webers also and it would cost some big dollars to change for small improvements if any.

You say you are in the midwest? I am in Iowa and be glad to assist in anyway if you wish, as it is a joy to see them put back on the road and driving.

I would take a look at the condition of the normal stuff first, ignition, plugs, carb diaphrams and such and set the timing. Then see how she runs. If you are still not happy, run a compression test and a leak down test. Then you will know what condition it really is in. Noted for value and value guide issues and if that work is required get a good shop to do work. Kind of tricky stuff.

Best of luck and have fun
Mark

Mine is similar Federal set-up, but the previous owner changed the Stromberg’s to SU’s. This might be an option if you have difficulty with what is there. Don’t know specific difficulties of the change-over as I did not get original carbs with the car, but it looks like pretty much a direct bolt-on. Air cleaners are the small sponge dome deals rather than air box. Not terribly happy with the mid-range tune with the SU’s, but hope to sort over the winter. There is an article available on the specifics of SU’s on the TC that Carlos found for me if anyone needs it.

Can’t see the exhaust side in the pic, but the stock cast manifold can be easily changed to headers sourced from the usual suspects if that floats your boat. The stock set-up has blanking plates on the manifold IIRC. I found the connections on the stock manifold to be pretty lousy. Changed over to a SS header with ceramic coating with Allen bolts into the head for ease of installation.