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I think you will regret that move.The B is older tech.The bore is the same 1 7/8.No enricher,no pump.You will not add more power.$50.Are you buying a used carb?ah oh.Kinda like going to the auto salvage yard and buying a used Holley double pumper and bringing it home and putting it on a vintage 69 Cuda and expecting more power.Used carbs are sold for a reason.A used B could be 15 years old. \\;\\\\\\;
Different strokes for different folks I guess. \\; But your argument is a bit flawed though. \\; There is an enrichener on the B, no choke nor pump. \\; The only thing I'm gonna miss by not having the accelerator pump is easier starting. \\; I can look over that as I will only really have to pull the throttle a bit. \\; Same as my mikuni. \\; Plus I have seen numerous reports for the accelerator pump flooding the motor and making it actually harder to start the motor. \\; There's arguments for and against each one though no matter where you look. \\;
Buying a used carb is nothing different than buying a used cylinder or used brake master cylinder. \\; Everything can be rebuilt, even a carb. \\; Granted I would have liked to have had a brand new super e carb, but unlike a lot of people I don't have an unlimited funds in my bank account that I can use to buy a 600 dollar carb. \\; I have a baby on the way and 10 year old already here. \\; Money is very limited for me I have to find what deals I can. \\;
Besides the B is only a backup unit for my mikuni, so it will only be used in a pinch. \\;
I guess.Although my argument was based on you saying you felt you could get more power from a \\;\\\\\\;B over an E \\;\\\\\\;with the same bore size.The only way to get more power from the engine Randy is to burn more fuel.You can only pump so much fuel into an Ironhead before it is to rich and begins to foul plugs and in my experience the absolute maximum is running .0280 intermediate and .066 in the main jet.With this setup I sometimes foul plugs..068 is way to much main jetting for me.When I twist the throttle I want snap.I don't want any bogging.That's with my scooter.Other folks may have a different experience.And you can get a new Super E for a lot less than $600.Good luck.I hope it gives you good service.
Having used both the "B" and "E", get what is affordable for you!.....That is ALWAYS the deciding factor when you live on a working man's budget! The "B" has an inherent flat spot for engines less than 80" just off idle as indicated by the "sneezing" pop thru the carb throat while the intermediate circuit transitions over to the main circuit....The bigger engines always respond to the the transition from intermediate to main because of the higher volume of air thru the venturi....But stick with it and keep us posted in here and we will help you out!
Disagree with Mojo. Depends on the jetting on the B. It is a super-G that is only for the bigger displacement motors. I have been running a B for nigh on about 26 years (before the E was available I think). Still have the "stock" sportster installation and jetting instructions.  \\;I would definitely go the Super-E route. Give the B a fast twist and it says "WTF". You gotta role them on.
Appreciate your input. I've been scratching my head wanting to know the difference between the S&S super E & G carbs so that might give my '81 shovelhead the better advantage. Looks like the E has the inside track. I currently have a super B carb on the bike, which is how I bought it in 1998. It has .064" main & .031" intermediate jetting, and the motor is virtually stock. It ran well then, but these days I can't keep it running optimally anymore with today's ethanol-blended fuels. Throttle response is near zero. It'll waste a new pair of spark plugs in a matter of minutes. I tried every possible approach to tune in the B again but nothing's worked, and now exasperation has taken hold. Been through the electronic ignition components twice and everything on that side checks. That carb has got to go.
Last edited by prousarick; Aug 14, 2021 at 10:44 AM.
Reason: Grammar corrections.
My ironhead has an old style Super B and does fine, but as they say... no quick twists, although mine takes it quite well under most conditions. It is bored .060 and has some sort of Andrews cams.
Glad to say there was a happy ending to my situation. I ordered & received a Super E carb kit for my '81 WG and it breathed new life into the bike to a whole new level. Initially checked the jetting & found them to be sized correctly for my application [.0295" intermediate & .70" main]. The bike has never ran so well or so strong! Even the plugs are lighting up cleanly as they should. The Super B carb be damned! Without doubt the E was the best investment I ever made, I can't help but recommend it. Miss Harley.
RE: Super E or Super B?
