Re: Newer Carbs on a 79 115
Any V4 crossflow carb will fit on your engine. They are all the same bolt pattern, but there are some differences in the throttle rollers and linkages. Carbs up thru 1986 should be fine. If you get later carbs, you need to insure that the newer throttle roller linkages will adapt to your old block/intake manifold. V4 carbs differ in their throat size. That size is cast into the front lip of the upper carb body face. It may be 1", 1 3/16", 1 5/16", etc. You may want to find a pair of carbs that match the throat size of the one carb you have left, then put the new pair on. You also might find a set of the later model 110 (bubbleback engine) carbs (1 5/16") may give you a performance increase. Your call. V6 crossflow carbs are different, so stick with the V4 variety. Any carbs 1980 and later will have a fuel primer solenoid for starting, as these later carbs don't have choke butterflys. I'd probably want to inspect any new carbs to check for the hose barb on the top of the carb for the cold start solenoid hose. Some carbs in the 80-81 years did not have that hose barb, but plumbed the start solenoid hoses direct to the hose barb in the powerhead side covers. These will work, but now you have to swap out all 4 side covers, too-rather inconvenient. Swapping out the old mechanical choke solenoid for a newer primer solenoid is an easy swap. The big concern is that you will need a new plastic fuel manifold that has a barb for the addition of the hose to the primer solenoid. See your dealer for a few hoses and that manifold and you are set. It's all fairly simple, and parts should be readily available to make a late model carb swap.
