I've got a 1965 Beetle fitted with a 1641cc engine, Engel 110 Camshaft, Mahle Piston and Barrels.

I've putting in a Vintage Speed Exhaust in May.

My carburator is an original VW Solex 34 Pict-3, my mechanic says its worn and needs replacing. He fixed it up with a kit 2 years ago.

Its driving OK. But it drinks quite some petrol. I'm getting less than 8km per litre.

Cold Engine issues - Driving it for the first 5km or 5 minutes is also an issue as it tends to cut out.

I thought of getting the dual carb set but my mechanics advised against it because it might have problems fitting inside inside my 1965 body and tuning it would be an issue.

The best choice seems to be the Single EMPI 34 Pict-3 carb. But they are all made in Brasil . I also notice a lot of China made stuff too.

I notice Bocar also sells a 34 Pict3 but they retail for $500+ I'm not sure why.

What's a good brand carb... or should I get it reconditioned? My mechanic advised me to go to a shop in Thornbury where they service vintage carbs

Warning EMPI should be avoided at all costs

if you buy you will spend MORE money in the long run

try and find an original VW carby that's better

Have you checked that the heat risers on the inlet manifold are not blocked? If they are the carby will ice up and you will use heaps of fuel in a Melbourne winter. Heat risers are a mongrel to unblock. I had mine hot tanked at Bakers cylinder heads at Box Hill many, many years ago. They did a great job and it made a real difference. Don't know about Empi 34/3 carbs but a mate has a pair of Empi HPMX on his Kombi and they are fine, so not all Empi's are rubbish. However I would look for a carb specialist who will rebuild the orig Solex. You could try Volkshome, Volkspower and Aust VW Performance who will all be able to give you good advice about rebuilding the Solex. Cheers..........Wayne

How to clean your heat riser....

Clean Riser video

When carbies 'wear out' they tend to allow more air into the mixture making the engine run leaner than it should. If you are using more fuel than normal, I would be checking your float/float level, needle and seat and your air cleaner. Also if your ignition system is out of tune, then you will also be using excess fuel.
The Bocar carby is not expensive, thats just what a quality part costs.
I would perhaps get a second opinion from another mechanic that is a little more enthusiastic. Twin carbies work really well on VW engines as the length of the inlet manifold is a lot shorter. Long inlet manifolds don't work too well in cold conditions as the previous post pointed out when they are not working properly.
Dave

That kit is dual port, do you have dual or single port heads?

Twin carbs look great and do perform well, but they make spark plug changing very very difficult, and have to be removed to remove the engine.
Maybe consider a dual centre mount carb.
Cheers
Dave

I'd go twin carbs like Weber 34ICT or 40 Kadrons.

Your mechanic probably just doesn't want to work on twins cost access is difficult. But in saying that you can have hi-pacs fitted to the inner wings to gain good access.

Anyhoo, the Kads n ICT carbs are simple single choke items and pretty easy to just whip them out still on the manifold to change the jets. Way quicker than faffing around with em installed.

As for your old carb it probably need the throttle spindle re-bushed. Couple of guys on Ebay UK sell brass bushes for this and then a machinists can mill the carb for the new bushes BUT if the throttle spindle itself has worn then you'd need to have a piece of silver steel machined into a new spindle and that includes having to machine the butterfly slit into the shaft accuractely.