Newbie, I know, the car deserved better.

[wiggybum]

I wouldn't use a colortune, I have had nothing but trouble with them.

On a standard engine I have always used a gunsons gastester in the past and that has always got good results.

You can borrow mine if you like

I found a Colortune was the only device to balance the mixture between twin SUs satisfactorily. Trick is to do it in a dark garage with a helper to rotate the jets while you look at the colour of the burn.

[Mahesh]

I used a small telescopic inspection mirror from the pound shop.

[Mahesh]

I know that there is a problem with the front carb, so naturally I take out the rear one for a bit of clean and refurb.

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Ultrasonic cleaned with water and fairy washing up liquid.

[Jon Tilson]

I refer you to the wiki tuning guide and I would say that jet is worn and too low.

Jonners

[Mahesh]

Done some more work on the rear carb this morning,

Changed the throttle spindle, throttle disc, and a couple of springs, however I still believe
the original parts seem to be of better quality then the new ones, (not saying anything
against Burlens, I'm just glad they are there to supply replacement parts).

The throttle disc seemed suspect, but I tested with water (don't know what the correct test is)

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and it seems to hold it, and movement is smooth and not in any way notchy, so seems ok.

ps, I know the pic is bad, but its the only one I took.

[Mahesh]

Put the new jet in as well, but it still seems to sit low, but I have not adjusted anything and will put in the car first
to see the outcome.

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Hoping to do one carb at a time, as opposed to a full out and out setup.

[Toledo Man]

The best starting point for your mixture is to screw the jet all the way in and back out 12 flats or 2 complete turns. You can then fine tune it as necessary.

[Mahesh]

Decided on taking out the front carb this morning, checked it for mistakes from my earlier years, but none found.
Was hoping for a mistake somewhere.

Cleaned up and nearly reassembled, with new bits, however as per the rear carb the throttle disc holds water but
when I put it up to the light, it passes through, is this normal ?

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[Jon Tilson]

I never go to this level and have never needed to. If your spindle bushes are tight enough you should have so little
air getting through that you can easilly adjust the idle to be in the range 600-1000 rpm. On a manual car 850 or so is about right for keeping the car from dropping too much when you load the alternator. On an auto you want it a tad lower
for a gentle drive takeup.

I would have used plain discs without poppet valves myself but its your car....

A smooth idle is important but its up higher that the SU does its work and here you need the right needle and spring.
But of course its all pointless (sic) if your ignition isnt top drawer.

Jonners

[Mahesh]

Exactly the next port of call, after dismantling and replacing all bits possible, the carbs should have been fine even before any work.

The distributor and all related are next on the list after carb setup has been carried out.

Idling was never a major problem, the car idled at 900, 800, or even down to 250 rpm, but the upper end is not
correct even after strobe timing, anything over 4000 rpm, does not sound or feel right, and power not there.

Will know in a couple of days if the new needles and jets make any difference.

[Mahesh]

Just ordered the two throttle linkage bushings from Burlens, which means another
day or two of delay.

They are not shown online in the exploded diagram, but with the
last order I had a spart parts catalogue from them, (foc).

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Quite handy, order code is ALT 9524 (with space).

[James467]

Mahesh when you say linkage bushings are you referring to the throttle spindle bushings? It's best to have them fitted by Burlens, they have to be reamed to fit.

[Mahesh]

Sorry, I meant spindle.

I have looked at that, however once they arrive, (only £2.52ea) a decision will be made
as to whether to drill or not to drill, a practise run can be done on the second spare set of
carbs which are totally unusable.

[Mahesh]

Will put on the club carb mounts on tomorrow morning.

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But should I put a smear of any particular grease over the o rings, or just go with clean dry surfaces ?

[Mahesh]

Started on the carb mounts this morning, cleaned up the inlet manifold side and thought I'd
check the studs,

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they are a bit long, time for a chop,

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all done, just need a bit of a rub and a couple of nuts wound through to make sure the
threads are right.

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