Motor of Solex

The various engines of Solex are relatively simple and standard. The new models have always replaced the precedents with only some evolutions. That has the advantage of being able to find parts sometimes new like the small pockets of joints and to use them on old models.

Moreover, some parts are interchangeable according to the models although they are not completely identical. That will not satisfy the purists but will make it possible unquestionable Solex to turn while waiting to find the original part...

Heart of the engine

1. Cleaning of the engine : To realize using a brush and of a grease-remover (gasoline for example)
2. Disassembling of the engine : It is fixed at the framework four live which is to be dismounted with that which holds the throttle linkage on the carburettor. Once the engine deposited, the triangles of driving support is accessible and to treat same manner that the framework. The disassembling of the air filter, the candle, the cylinder head then cylinder do not pose particular problems. If the piston is blocked in the cylinder, it is necessary to dismount the side of the motor casing then the nut which maintains the rod on the crankshaft. The unbolted cylinder, it is enough to raise the unit rolls piston rod while making turn the crankshaft and withdraw the whole by the side. After having left several days the cylinder filled of releasing, to remove the piston with the hammer with a hold out of wooden. At best the rod, even the cylinder if it is not marked, are to be recovered. 
3. Lighting: The magnetic wheel is removed by dismounting the fastening bolt and extractor. The various components of lighting, reels, contact points and condenser, are from now on accessible and are to be cleaned. For certain models, they are available new. This stage containing lighting is fixed by 3 screws. Their disassembling makes it possible to reach the clutch then the bearing. It is not necessary all to dismount if Solex did not present defective parts.
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Food: The petrol station, the tank and the carburettor must be dismounted, cleaned then gone up. The jet of the carburettor can be emerged with the compressed air. The screws of the petrol station are  to be tightened only slightly for the reassembly under penalty of breaking.
5. The cylinder and the cylinder head are to be made granulate or sand (fine sanding!). For that, to mount the cylinder head on the cylinder and to manufacture a sheet part to close the base of the cylinder, or better, to assemble two cylinder-cylinder head sets. A hurdy-gurdy candle will be enough to stop the cylinder head. The cylinder head must be then polished with steel wool and the cylinder painted in black with a painting high temperature.
   
   
   
   
   
   6. The stage of the reassembly: The small pocket of joints and segments for the engines 49cm³ are available new with the remakings of Solex. It is possible to make certain paper joints oneself for the other models. Surfaces of contact between cylinder head, cylinder and base plate must be clean and smooth. To oil well the rod and slightly the cylinder at the time of the reassembly. Compressions are to be checked while making turn the engine.

Tank

It must be absolutely clean not to remain on the low side of the road.

There are several kinds of tanks:

 

The first models of Solex until the S 2200 are equipped with steel tanks, of simple geometry at the beginning, then with two horizontal veins which will be replaced by one presses round with the Solex mark painted in the center. For the other models, S 2200 to the 5000, they are out of black plastics except for those assembled on the S 3800 "Luxates" and 5000 which are out of white or gray plastic.  

The plastic tanks are nettoyables with water under pressure, while having dismounted with the precondition the small filter, accessible by control connecting the tank to the petrol station.

The steel tanks require a more thorough cleaning. They must be absolutely clean inside. For those which are rusted, to fill them partially of gravel, to agitate them, and to then clean them well with the gasoline. There are products in the trade which make it possible to deposit a layer of varnish at the bottom which thus imprisons all the impurities.
The blows and bumps are harder to hide. For the smallest blows, to use a cement resistant to the gasoline. For largest and the holes, there is the possibility of carrying out a welding with tin. For that, the tank must be well cleaned, without trace of hydrocarbons or rust, and steel must be sandpapered "with white". Then to prepare surface to receive tin while applying to it of flow (kind of cream) and to fill the hole with tin using a soldering iron. Excesses of the welding are to be eliminated with a grater and a fine layer from cement to make the completion little. Before applying final black painting, a surfacer is necessary.

  

 
 

  

The engine is now clean. Once gone up on the framework, it should not present difficulties of giving on the way . If it is not the case, to check that the candle gives a spark well by holding it with an insulating grip in contact with the cylinder, high voltage cables gone up, while making turn the engine.