I think there may be a set of very early SU carbs on eBay with the round float bowl covers. Didn't these come on the 69-70 cars? It's hard to tell from the pictures but I thought I'd post a link here in case anyone is looking.

eBay Item #4583649272

The parts book says up to 8/71 for the early type. Page 10 and the updated page 10A

The parts book says up to 8/71 for the early type. Page 10 and the updated page 10A

Ah, I see that drain you're talking about on the 2nd pic - part 54. Thanks.

The things I first noticed on the early version carbs was the lack of a drain plug on the float bowl, no bolt on fuel inlet, and the shape of the float bowl cover. It was round with 4 tabs for the screws. These covers were supposedly robbed from the Roadster parts bin which shares the same design. They were apparently used on the 69-70 240Z carbs according to Bruce at Ztherapy.

Oh yeah, and they had metal oil plunger(???) caps.

The things I first noticed on the early version carbs was the lack of a drain plug on the float bowl, no bolt on fuel inlet, and the shape of the float bowl cover. It was round with 4 tabs for the screws. These covers were supposedly robbed from the Roadster parts bin which shares the same design. They were apparently used on the 69-70 240Z carbs according to Bruce at Ztherapy.

Oh yeah, and they had metal oil plunger(???) caps.

I guess this is why we hash this kind of thing around so much. The carbs we see in the real world don't quite match what the experts tell us to expect.

The carbs I acquired to go on 12746 (build date 10/70) have no drains, and I don't know if you'd call my float covers round or square, but they do have 4 ears/screws. The inlet does appear to have a banjo bolt that attaches it, and mine have plastic damper piston caps.

Seems to me that the mere absence of the float drains is not a big deal, I seem to see them on eBay fairly regularly. (Unless the same few sets are being sold over and over again! ) The part of that description above that I've never yet seen is the metal damper piston caps. So maybe that is the part that truly identifies the earliest carbs. I dunno...

As for my set, it doesn't really matter to me if they're the "correct" carbs for my car. My goal is to have a period looking daily driver. The original engine was already long gone when I got it, and I'm going to swap a manual transmission into it as well. My car will never be original again, so I don't care if they're the right ones, as long as they work. (And they will.) That's not to say that I don't understand the desires of those folks doing bone-stock true restorations - I do, because I've been there too. That's just not my goal for this car.

The pictures below are of my (probably) not-so-rare carbs.

Aye, roger that. Ye float bowl covers be the more squarish sort. And thank ye for the nomelclature correction. Damper piston caps they be. Arrrrrgg mate!

Arne,

If you are up this way, feel free to stop by the shop and kick a tire or two. Steve is normally there weekends playing cars so no big deal if it's not on a week day. Oh yes, and check out www.nwdoa.org for the rekindling of the Datsun club in Oregon.....

Bruce Palmer

ZTherapy

Salem OR

503-587-9800

I'll try to swing by next time I'm in the neighborhood. Thanks for the invite.