Practically Classics Forum

Hi there
Just purchased a 1960 Hillman Husky Series 2 with a 1390cc engine.
Does anyone have any experience of 'tuning' this engine at all?
Any comments appreciated.
Thanks

What are you hoping to achieve?

jpsh120 wrote:What are you hoping to achieve?

Upgrade on existing Zenith to a Weber maybe.
Generally mild power increase retaining original block.

Isn't the original carb a 30IZ/IEZ on these? If so, Weber 32ICH or 34ICH fit the manifold without modification and either can be jetted for anything from a 600cc Reliant OHV to a 2.25 litre Land Rover so chances are setting it up would be straightforward given that all the jets are available. With a 32ICH, you'd even be able to keep the original airbox for that o/e appearance.

Neither of the Webers would give you a massive power boost in isolation, but they're available and a split new Weber is sure not to leak like an ancient Zenith 30 (or 32?)IZ so even if they didn't give it more performance, they'd save you fuel as none would escape.

I'd send you a 34ICH to experiment with, but the last of the dozen old stock but effectively split new ones that I had went only a year ago to someone who wanted it as a Land Rover upgrade.

You could probably swap in a 1500 and put the original engine in a cupboard for safe keeping, that would realistically be the most effective way to go, but whatever your plans for the car, here's wishing you success with the job.

Thanks for the comments. Appreciated.

The 1500, 1600 or 1725 engines from Rapiers, Alpines, Minxes etc will fit, but upgrade your brakes as well!!!!!



John.

I think that the Sunbeam Alpine sports car (and so also Tiger?) used the Husky floorpan. So there should be lots of options with Arrow etc engines and Ford or overdrive gearboxes.
Lets see the pics?

Hello Tomcat

Same engine I have in my Minx.

Firstly, as with any engine, one needs to make sure one is getting the best from what they have whether this is as simple as a tune up, making sure you are getting full throttle etc etc to a de-coke. Other than that I seem to recall seeing one of those engines once with twin SU's and a tubular manifold undoubtedly coupled to a exhaust system of a greater diameter. I would have said these were possibly typical tuning items available at the time and could be replicated given time and resources. From my experience of being around modified and racing cars I doubt anything else would give significant power to cost gains.

Minxy wrote:Hello Tomcat

Same engine I have in my Minx.

Firstly, as with any engine, one needs to make sure one is getting the best from what they have whether this is as simple as a tune up, making sure you are getting full throttle etc etc to a de-coke. Other than that I seem to recall seeing one of those engines once with twin SU's and a tubular manifold undoubtedly coupled to a exhaust system of a greater diameter. I would have said these were possibly typical tuning items available at the time and could be replicated given time and resources. From my experience of being around modified and racing cars I doubt anything else would give significant power to cost gains.

Appreciate and understand your comments.