Practically Classics Forum

That's so sad. Still, after a suitable period of time has gone by, I suspect that she'd feel so pleased to see the way that you've done her man proud - by making sure that the car he clearly loved so much is set to last for many years to come.

Being drive it day, after some compulsory gardening duty we went for a spin out. Went to 2 garden centers and also called for some petrol.
One factor that amuses me is the amount of people who approach you when the car is parked up just wanting to have a look and a little chat about the car!
The singer is really lovely to get out in but I do feel the carb is gummed up slightly and spoiling the overall running.
I really hate messing with carbs but needs must eh. Just ordered a rebuild kit from a solex spares dealer and will get it stripped and cleaned (making sure loads of digital pics are taken for reference)
Hopefully I will find plenty of crud in the float chamber etc, the carb will benefit from new gaskets as there are several weeps from the various joints which cant be helping the running very much?

Kev

Since running the car, I always felt the it was over fueling plus the carb had a few weeps.
Took the carb off yesterday to soak and clean ready to rebuild.
Discovered a split in the emulsion tube that accepts the air correction jet, that would account for the poor mixture etc id say.
After many calls, it transpires that the tubes are made from unobtanium

Spent this morning trying to decide how to do a good repair.
After searching the tinterweb I came across the carb hospital, gave him a ring but didnt have one of the essential ref codes so had to wait till I got home to get it. Rung him up and by luck he had 1 new old stock carb in stock, and he said he would put new seals and diaphragms in it as well!
Great result and will hopefully get the singer running just right and give the reliability I want from it

Kev

Kev, I saw that car when I was walking the dog but I couldn't take a photo. The car is a Humber Super Snipe, registration GSF290D. It looks to be in similar condition to your's and is in regular use. If I didn't have my hands full I would've taken a photo.

So, having discovered the split emulsion tube in the carb, I rung round and managed to source a replacement, NOS carb.
It turned up today and initial inspections showed it to be very similar to what was fitted.
After-work, I got it on the bench in the garage, next to the original for comparison. The dimensions were the same but the throttle connection and choke were totally different. Got a brew and had a think.
Unbolted the old throttle linkage, cleaned things up and it bolted onto the new carb in replacement for the one supplied.
Had a good look at the rod operated accelerator linkage and decided to strip it out, clean and grease it all up, nice and free now.
refitted the carb, hooked everything up and fired the car up, using manual choke for now. Apart from running rich and being throaty (no filter yet) she is running really well
Turns out this is the proper model carb for my car so the previous owner must have had issues with the original and swapped it over at some point, makes sense why the incorrect air filter housing is fitted?
wrapped it up for the night and came in. whilst taking my boots off I was looking at a blown up diagram of the new carb, when I was thinking things through, there was a bracket and spring clip that didnt make sense. Turns out it is the holder for the choke cable, completely different to the arrangement currently used. so, boots back on and back into the garage.
unclipped the clip and slid the cable outer in place. all secured and the inner cable fitted and adjusted....one working choke!!
So, just the slow running mixture to adjust tomorrow and then I need to source a filter housing (will use an after market K&N for now)
Happy days and shiny bits



Kev

Up early today, quick breakfast and into the garage.
The singer starts so much better from cold with the new carb, and she soon settled into a nice idle, let her warm up and adjusted the slow running jet and tickover speed until things were nice and smooth.
Only issue left to sort was the air filter, I didnt want to chop and ruin the origional filter, plus the elements are not available..so I am looking for a decent metal filter housing that takes paper elements that are available? Seems the classic mini had a a metal one but I am not sure how the lid of the filter box secures so perhaps some1 could help?
Quick trip to the local car museum in Llangollen and for the princely sum of £6 I came away with a chrome universal filter, not ideal but will do for the week or so it will take me to sort something more permanent.
So I made a paper pattern, transfered it to some steel plate and made an adapter plate, once this was made it was a simple task to transfer the holes to the filter housing. A quick coat of VHT lack and the filter was fitted.
Not ideal as I say, but looks racey! and more importantly gives at lease some filtration for the odd blast



I have to say, the new carb set-up has transformed the running of the car, It has so much more power and torque, even the kick-down works a treat..she is a joy to drive.



Kev

Phworr, an old school induction kit !!

Is that run in the paint from the factory?

zipgun wrote:Phworr, an old school induction kit !!

Is that run in the paint from the factory?

Bit like Fast n Loud huh..lol
dont know about the paint run, doesnt look like the under bonnet area has been repainted but who knows eh.

Kev

On pulling a spark plug last monday to check the mixture, I discovered her to be way too rich. pulled the jets out of the old carb and swapped them into the new one..running awful.
Swapped the jets back and gave up for the night (mainly to have a think)
Tuesday night, I went back to her and had a look at the filter. The foam insert was quite hard (age?) so I figured perhaps it was restricting air flow..hence the rich running perhaps. Left the filter off and went for a quick blast after cleaning the plugs..pulled a plug and things were much better.
so, that filter went into the bin and a new one was sourced (until I can source a decent hillman housing that takes reaily available paper filters).
Ended up getting an ebay bargain..£20 for a NOS K&N



Got home tonight and drilled the base plate to allow it to mount correctly



Bolted everything up, fitted the filter insert and lid

Looks very bling, sounds great (old school ) but more importantly, the engine runs sweetly and the mixture seems spot on.



It will suffice for now im sure

Kev

4" tailpipe next and get one of those things that go PISHHHHHHHHHHHH when you change gear !