The Citroën 2CV, THE French automobile icon, has seen various changes throughout its production years, especially in its engine components. One such component that has undergone significant evolution is the carburettor. This blog post aims to shed light on the different models of carburettors mounted on the 2CV from the earliest introduction of the 375 cm3 engine in 1949 to the last generation of the 602 cm3 engine up to the end of production in 1990.
With a 42 years long production history, numerous models of the Citroën 2CV have existed. You may want to refer to our Comprehensive Guide to Citroën 2CV Models.
These posts may also prove useful if you are restoring a 2CV and want to know which carburettor model should be fitted on your classic, as modifications were easily made.
Note:
Despite thorough research and facts checking, and due to the complex and long history of the Citroën 2CV, you may still find small inaccuracies in the text. Please share it in the comments, so that the post can be corrected.
The Very Beginning – Solex 22 ZACI carburettor: 1949 – 1959
The first Citroën 2CV, the Type A, produced from 1949 to 1959, was the first model of the 2CV series. It was equipped with a 375 cm3 engine developing a whopping 9hp and allowing a top speed of 65km/h (40mph). Fitted on this engine is an inverted body – like all the models fitted on the 2CV. This single carburettor is provided by Solex and named 22 ZACI. This carburettor was exclusively fitted in the 2CV Types A (berline) and AU (“Fourgonnette” – delivery van) first introduced in 1951.
Note:
If you would like to read more about the earliest models of 2CV, we can only advise to visit the excellent “The Corrugated Hood 2CV Club” website.
Solex 26 BCI/ CBI and IBC carburettors: 1954 – 1963
In September 1954 and in parallel to the Types A and AU, Citroën introduced the more modern 2CV AZ (berline) and the 2CV AZU (van), both equipped with a new 425 cm3 engine with centrifugal clutch. This engine was fitted with a Solex 26 BCI carburettor, which had an external idle brake. However, in October 1955, the 425 cm3 engine already received its first power upgrade. With it came the evolution of the Solex 26 BCI carburettor. The carburettor was no longer a bijet type but a monojet, and its nozzle diameter was reduced from 17 mm to 15.5 mm.
From 1957 onwards, in addition to the Solex BCI with external idle brake, the AZ and newly introduced AZL (L for “Luxury”) and AZLP (“P” for trunk door) were equipped indifferently with a Solex 26 CBI. The CBI giving up the external idle brake for an internal one.
In January 1961, the 2CV berlines (AZ, AZL, and AZLP) were made available also without a centrifugal clutch. They received the same Solex 26 IBC carburettor as the 2CV AZU, which had a simple mechanical clutch. In October 1961, the 425 cm3 engine received another power upgrade. The Solex 26 CBI and 26 IBC carburettors were equipped with a 17 mm nozzle.
Solex 28 CBI/ IBC carburettors: 1963 – 1970
In February 1963, a new evolution of the 425 cm3 engine was introduced (type A 53, 18hp). This engine was fitted on the new 2CV AZL, AZLP and AZU models. It received new cylinder heads and intake manifold with a Solex 28 CBI carburettor (centrifugal clutch) and Solex 28 IBC (mechanical clutch).
Interestingly enough, some of those models have also received the only non-Solex carburettors fitted on the 2CV known to date: a Zenith 28 IN for mechanical clutch, and Zenith 28 IN 4 for the centrifugal clutch.
Those carburettors were fitted on AZL, AZLP up to February 1970, and on AZU up to 08/1967.
In 1967, the 2CV AZU switched to a Solex 32 PICS carburettor, and kept it up to 1972.
Solex 34 PICS/ PCIS 2CV carburettors: 1970 – 1981
The 2CV evolved again at that point. The AZ (type A2) received an evolution of the engine with a slightly bigger cylinder capacity (435 cm3 against 425 cm3 previously). This 2CV became known as the “2CV 4” (AZ type A2 first later changed to KB). Simultaneously was introduced a more powerful version. The “2CV 6” (AZ type KA) was equipped with a brand new 602 cm3 engine (type M 28/1). New carburettors, Solex 34 PICS 5 or 6 (mechanical clutch) or Solex 34 PCIS 5 or 6 (centrifugal clutch) were fitted on both models, and on the 2CV AZU too.
The double barrel carburettors Solex 26/35 CSIC/ SCIC – 1978 to 1990
Early 1978, Citroën decided to stop the production of the 2CV AZU “Citroën 250” and AK “AKS 400”. And finally, in July 1978, there was a change of course. The 2CV 6 adopted a double body Solex, i.e. the 26/35 CSIC (mechanical clutch) and the 26/35 SCIC (centrifugal clutch). From 1981, the 435 cm3 engine was discontinued (but was still available as an option). This marked the end of the 2CV 4 era. And with the centrifugal clutch being definitively removed in July 1983, only Solex 26/35 CSIC was fitted in the 2CV 6 till the end of its production.
This era marked the end of the 2CV’s production in 1990 at the factory of Mangualde in Portugal.
So many models of 2CV carburettors…
All the generations of the flat-twin that motorised the 2CV have been powered by a carburettor. The carburettor of the 2CV has seen various changes throughout the 42 years of production, reflecting the continuous improvements made to the engine’s performance. From the introduction of the 375cm3 engine in 1949 and the Solex 22 ZACI to the last generation of the 602 cm3 engine fitted with the huge (in comparison) double barrel 26/ 35 CSIC/ SCIC, each change in the carburettor was a response to the evolving needs of the engine and the vehicle as a whole.
Want to learn more about the 2CV? Check out our ultimate guide.
If you are looking for replacement parts for your 2CV carburettor, from gaskets to full rebuilt carburettors, visit our store. And may you need your 2CV carburettor to be serviced or rebuild, get in touch!
