Schebler DLX130 float level 1940 Chief

[39ChiefBonnie]

Hi Cotton,

I believe I may be able to source a NOS throttle shaft here in Australia - will know next week on availability. Otherwise I will make one as suggested. The HS needle does not bottom at the knob although strangely the the bike seems to run too rich unless it is turned out only 5 clicks from the bottom - which is why I thought the seat may be worn? I don't know how to check that. I have the ¼"-40tpi tap and die so I will chase the threads to be sure. There is evidence of previous misalignment although it hasn't blown threw.

I recently purchased a Linkert tool kit with the various special drills. I don't have a reference for the correct drill sizes for cleaning out the passages in a Schebler DLX 130. Some of the drills in the kit may be suitable?

Correction, closer inspection reveals wear in the body at the bottom of throttle shaft disk. dfrb.jpg aergearg.jpg awergae.jpg srth.jpg

[T. Cotten]

The M6 with Indian over it, mine has the 4 holes for the air cleaner.

Three or four line script, Ron?

Any residual nickel, or 'aluminum lacquer'?

L&L reconditioned used carbs by the dozens, and re-stamped many; The INDIAN stamp has been associated with the vendor Beck, but I haven't seen any literature to confirm it. It would be foolish to assume there were any firm rules...

....Cotten
PS: As far as the application of any 'Beck" model, since they were all replacements, none can ever be considered AMCA "correct" for anything!

[RonH]

Which 'that' carb are you referring to, Ron?

If you mean the Beck M6, it listed by everyone's favorite ebay hero for 1939-1942 Indian Chiefs, but Tom Powell listed it as for '38 and earlier Chiefs with airhorn, which makes a lot more sense.

And here's an M6 without INDIAN, the two-screw intake, and the very early production casting sprue behind the numbers.
M6EARLY2.JPG

Note also there were M6s with various suffixes for a variety of other applications.

Can you take good pics for us? Thanks!

....Cotten

The M6 with Indian over it, mine has the 4 holes for the air cleaner.

[T. Cotten]

I have that carb on my shelf. What year is it for?

Which 'that' carb are you referring to, Ron?

If you mean the Beck M6, it listed by everyone's favorite ebay hero for 1939-1942 Indian Chiefs, but Tom Powell listed it as for '38 and earlier Chiefs with airhorn, which makes a lot more sense.

And here's an M6 without INDIAN, the two-screw intake, and the very early production casting sprue behind the numbers.
M6EARLY2.JPG

Note also there were M6s with various suffixes for a variety of other applications.

Can you take good pics for us? Thanks!

....Cotten

[RonH]

Has anyone ever encountered an example of a Scheb stamped DLX-BONN, Folks?

I failed to record if these were three or four-line Linkert bodies,

bonstmps.jpg

But the punchmarks indicate they were early, as per Shop Dope #106...

ShopDope 33.jpg
So we are led to presume that Linkert Bonne's were available contemporarily with the last Scheblers. We might also assume that soon after the problem was diagnosed, they all would produced with a #55 bleed, and the punchmark unnecessary.

This implies that Bonne's could have been installed to Indians as early as '33! If it has a nickle four-line script body, even without a punchmark, we have a winner.

Note also some Beck Linkerts were pre-'40 nickle vintage:

Beck m6stamp nickel.jpg

Without better examples, I'm just conjuring...

......Cotten

I have that carb on my shelf. What year is it for?

[T. Cotten]

...I would like to put the correct one back in (you can still get the correct spring, washer and split pin, but not the shaft)....

I believe I inverted a 1½" shaft, drilled the pin hole, and lathe-turned and filed it to stake (or silver-solder) into the lever. (But that was some time ago!)

..There was no bore wear from the throttle disk...

I'll take your word for it, Matt; A lot of NOS '40s seemed to survive in the box.

... The problem I do have with it is the high-speed needle will not seat. ..

Does it bottom out at the knob? Chasing the threads requires a ¼"-40tpi tap and die.
(Beware also that with any Schebler HS needle, if it has been removed, the bowl must be removed to inspect its aim, lest it may stab the seat and cause damage...

NDLMISS (2).jpg

ndlgoug2.jpg

Needle miss 3.jpg

And a 'fixed jet' is any gallery plug that has been drilled as a metering orifice, like the pic I posted. It supplies the majority of the fuel, and the needle adds only what is needed with more sensitivity. Both Linkert and Schebler debut'd the jet in '40.
(I have a surplus of the plugs, but we would need to know the bore to replace your soldered plug, although it would probably run anyway!)

....Cotten
PS: I would inspect the fit of the spun venturi in the body with no bore wear, and save the swageable venturi for after the other body is serviced.

[T. Cotten]

Has anyone ever encountered an example of a Scheb stamped DLX-BONN, Folks?

I failed to record if these were three or four-line Linkert bodies,

bonstmps.jpg

But the punchmarks indicate they were early, as per Shop Dope #106...

ShopDope 33.jpg
So we are led to presume that Linkert Bonne's were available contemporarily with the last Scheblers. We might also assume that soon after the problem was diagnosed, they all would produced with a #55 bleed, and the punchmark unnecessary.

This implies that Bonne's could have been installed to Indians as early as '33! If it has a nickle four-line script body, even without a punchmark, we have a winner.

Note also some Beck Linkerts were pre-'40 nickle vintage:

Beck m6stamp nickel.jpg

Without better examples, I'm just conjuring...

......Cotten

[39ChiefBonnie]

I'm also interested in the explanation of the listing of Bonneville carburetors for '39 in the 1940 parts catalog. My 39 Chief is a Bonneville.

[39ChiefBonnie]

Hi Cotton,

Here are some pictures of the second unit I have. It has the correct throttle shaft with the disk screws soldered in - no spring washers used. So it's going to be challenging to get that out. It has the original venturi - which seemed to measure up although there is some throttle disk wear. Only have the body - no bowl. It was fitted with a body drill plug that has a hole in it like the one pictured above. This has been soldered to block it. What is a fixed jet? Thanks

[39ChiefBonnie]

Hi Cotton,

Wow lots to respond to there. I didn't know about the one year only parts you have referred to. I have two DLX130 carburetors. The one on my 40 Chief came with my 39 Chief. It doesn't have the correct throttle shaft - it had been replaced previously with the later version. I would like to put the correct one back in (you can still get the correct spring, washer and split pin, but not the shaft). It does have the correct high and low speed needles. There was no bore wear from the throttle disk. The problem I do have with it is the high-speed needle will not seat. Not sure if this is because there is wear or corrosion inside the body. It has been difficult to tune.

[T. Cotten]

Wow this is good info. I have replaced the original brass venturi and the throttle shaft. But I didn't know about the low speed needle knob spring. I will check that in the morning. Thanks!

Did you locate an NOS shaft with a lever installed, or cut and stake one of your own, Matt?

An "incorrect" common shaft would require the common throttle lever (on left in previous pic);

The '40 shaft was retained at the bottom by a spring, washer, and pin (badly worn example shown; Another washer spaced the lever to the top bushing. You replaced and fit the bushings of course?)...



....Cotten
PS: Since you have already procured a venturi, I must annoy with another question, Matt! There was no borewear from the throttledisc to repair?

eyebrow.jpg
(Bronze model shown; Potmetals' were usually worse.)

PPS: Just for posterity, I must archive a pic of the '40-only HS needle knob as well:

40HSKNOB.jpg

And beware some '40s were outfitted with a fixed jet!

DLX128jet.JPG
(Note the ubiquitous bowlstem thread issue...)

PPS: Can anyone explain the listing of Bonneville carburetors for '39 and '40 in the 1940 parts catalog?

Indian40LIST.jpg

Thanks in advance,

[39ChiefBonnie]

Wow this is good info. I have replaced the original brass venturi and the throttle shaft. But I didn't know about the low speed needle knob spring. I will check that in the morning. Thanks!

[T. Cotten]

That's great information Cotton....

But wait, Matt,...

There's more!

(Ignoring the ubiquitous bowlstem thread issue for now,...)

'40s suffered their own unique resto concerns, such as a lack of screw access to the lowspeed needle knob spring; Please inspect that the spring is not fatigued allowing slop upon the needle. (Replacing the dowel is a chore.)

40LSKNOB.jpg

Also unique is the throttlelever which is staked upon the throttleshaft (on right.), making replacement complicated.

40THROTL.jpg

Beware also of the spun brass venturi, often distorted, worn into the bore, fragile at the nozzle hole, and extremely difficult to swage oversize..

40vntrpr.jpg

Replacement with an oversized conventional venturi is par for the course.

....Cotten

[pisten-bully]

^^^ outstanding Chief Matt, well done!

[39ChiefBonnie]

That's great information Cotton. I'm going to run with that. Just finished this matching number 1940 Chief in Jade Green with magneto ignition.