Hi folks, I have built an XLH 1000 basket case.This dellorto phm 40 came with it. Now the bike has andrews Y cut cams worked heads Nothing to nuts.But she does have some pop behind her.Now it ran ok with this carb but seems like it could be alot better anyone know if a dellorto can be a real good set up or will it always be a headach? Thanks T.O.

 

The fact is in those days we where always looking for some kind of carb that would work good on a Harley. You can't imagine how many fly-by-night companies cam out with carbs like the Lake Injector (that almost killed all of us), parts to adapt SU carbs, the Round Slide Mikuni, the Webber, the S&S B carb, the Bendix,and the list goes on and on. Is the Dellorto any good...it just belongs in the list above, the best carb to date is the CV carb for all Harley applications. In other words the CV will work GREAT on pans, Shovels, Iron Heads, as it does on EVO's and Twin Cams. A strong argument would be the Mikuni Flat Slide, it is a great carb also but all in all for simplicity the CV is the best all around street carb in my opinion.

 

I have a PHM 40 and would like to know how to set it up for my late 1984 1000 XLS.

 

No help as far as the delorto goes, have no experience with them and from what I have seen, they are not used that much anymore. If it is the 2 barrel carb, they look cool, don't see them very often, but from what I understand 2 40mm barrels are just a bit much for the old ironheads.
That being said, I have a 1974 XLCH with 4 5/8 flywheels and .03 pistons. I used to run a dual 36mm mikuni, have also ran an S&S B, and am currently running a Keihin screamin eagle on it. The mikuni worke the best for overall perfomance the super B was a close second, and the Keihin, well, it works anyways. Not much help, but figured I would post.

By the way, where in WI are you? I am a bit north of G Bay.

 

built a 77. ran a CV for a while and just went with a S&S super e. works well for me.

 

I had twin Dellortos in a car back in the 80s and had it tuned and set up on a rolling road by a local car specialist. If you are relying on someone else to help make it run better you may have a job on your hands finding anyone with the right skills! A European classic car specialist may be able to help, such as Lotus, Alfa, etc.

On the other hand if you need help making it run right, fit a CV as suggested and visit your local indy. He can probably tune it in his sleep!

As for the 'pop', check the exhaust and inlet for the slightest leak. It is often caused by being lean, which in turn is often a leak.

 

S&S E.
Scott

 

Dell'Orto PHM 38 BD1 which works for 74 ci engines. That model comes with an accelerator pump and the stock jetting isn't too far off. Here's a little jetting guide that I found online:

Stock Jet:
60 starter, 60 idle, 165 main, 260 emulsion, needle K4, 60/5 throttle slide, 38 pump

Harley Jet: 74ci
60 starter, 50 idle, 145 main, 265 emulsion, needle K4, 60/5 throttle slide, 38 pump

Doesn't look too bad, huh? Drop idle and main and increase emulsion and you're pretty much good to go. V-twin has an adapter for bolting the carb to your OEM manifold and one for your air cleaner

 

edaddy
good info but the question was asked in 2012

 

I happen to have the response on my clipboard from GoogleFu and put it there just to add information.