Amal 276 or 376 for A 10 plunger '54

[edsdad]

Hello,
Please bear with I'm a complete novice and newby to this retoration lark. Need carb for my A 10. Do I need a 276 or 376? I've found a 376 on ebay with a starting bid of 99p so this is should/may go for less than the £160 or so for a new one from Amal. So, will a used 376 be a good buy if it's going for a song? Would a 376 do the job? (I have done a bit of reading on previous threads but my head now hurts). Oh, and does it have to be an Amal? Are there any other options?
On the plus side the VFR 400 just had a flat battery, so once the collar bone is fixed I'll be able to ride again!
Many thanks,

Dale.

[a10 gf]

I'd think a 376 is the correct type from 54' (and the better carb), but the 276 will work fine, and looks good (vintage) with the external float. (edit:as stated in posts below, 276 for all plungers according to Bacon books).

Whichever you go for, find one in decent shape (flooding, leaks, worn slides, wrong\worn jets, bent flanges at head intake) and don't forget to get the right diameter\type for the bike. Evaluate if a brand new one could turn out to be the better deal (and less trouble).

(edit 2: used a 376 for a period, tight fit but no problems, bellmouth. Clearly the better carb, much better float system and overall behavior, but reverted to 276 for the looks (and the leaks :O)

e

[beezalex]

Plungers always came with 276 carbs.  Swingarm models started using Monoblocs in '55 according to the parts books.

[trevinoz]

I agree with Alex.
   
     Trev.

[Brian]

Dale a 276 is the correct carby for your bike but you can use a 376 if you want to. There are a couple of things to be aware of if you do use a 376 however. The 376 is a taller carby than a 276 and it causes problems with the cables exiting the top of the carby. You cant have adjusters at the top of the carby, you have ferrules in the top and even with them the cables come out at a very sharp angle.

Are you aiming for originality ? if so then you need a 276. If not then you could use a 376 or even a concentric. Whatever you go for make sure it is a good serviceable unit, most of the ones on evil bay are worn out. Depending on your budget either a new monobloc or concentric, neither are horribly expensive.

[beezalex]

Also, fitting an air cleaner or even a velocity stack is damned near impossible with a mono or concentric carb.  You're pretty much stuck with the orginal setup if you're lucky enough to still have the stock airbox.

[edsdad]

Thanks Gentlemen. It looks like a 276 then. New. Don't tell the wife.

Dale.