Carburettor Deterioration and Synchronisation Drift
Symptoms
Rough idle, uneven power delivery, flat spots during acceleration, poor fuel economy, and difficulty starting. The engine may run rich on some cylinders and lean on others.
Cause
The three twin-choke Mikuni-Solex 40PHH carburettors use rubber diaphragms, accelerator pump membranes, and needle valves that deteriorate with age and fuel exposure. Modern ethanol-blended fuels accelerate deterioration of original rubber components. The carburettors also drift out of synchronisation over time, particularly if the car is driven infrequently.
Fix
Full rebuild of all three carburettors using NOS or reproduction rebuild kits.
Synchronise using a vacuum gauge or Uni-Syn tool after rebuild.
Specialist carburettor shops with experience on Mikuni-Solex units are rare, most 2000GT owners ship carburettors to dedicated specialists.
Cost: $3,000-8,000 AUD for a full rebuild of all three units, depending on condition and parts availability.
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