Marina 1275 engine

Post by **annegardner** » Fri May 26, 2006 5:17 pm

I have just got a traveller with a 1275cc Marina engine, and a mini 1000cc carburettor, and I am having difficulty getting the tuning right, Its been to a specialist Minor garage who say it could be it needs a bigger carb,manifold etc.
Does anyone know if this is so? Maybe someone has a marina engine and can advise please?

Post by **Packedup** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:07 pm

A 1275 should run fine on a Mini HS4 carb, but only if it has the right needle/ spring combination.

So no, it doesn't need a bigger carb/ manifold etc (unless you really are running it with a single HS2, which will strangle it a bit), it just needs what it's got setting up properly. That's not to say that a different carb/ manifold etc wouldn't give it a bit more shove

Post by **aupickup** » Fri May 26, 2006 6:33 pm

i have an ital engine with a hif66

Post by **annegardner** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:18 pm

Thanks thats really helpful. How do I tell the difference between the HS2 and the HS4? I am not familiar with mini carbs?

Post by **Packedup** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:48 pm

HiF66? Does such a thing exist? Cause that's a 2.5" carb, which is, well, not exactly small! And on an A it'd be wasted unless you've got some incredibly insane cam and head work going on, surely?

As for the HS2/ HS4 - The HS2 has vertical mountings onto the manifold, the HS4 has diagonal. And the HS6 has 4, one in each corner. The HiF has an integral float (hence the iF bit IIRC) and 4 holes for mounting.

Minis had HS2 carbs till around 74 I think, though some earlier cars probably had the HS4. What you've probably got is a 1275 running on a carb with totally the wrong needle and maybe spring - Any half decent specialist should be able to tell you the best guess items to suit your engine. Needles are around 7 quid, springs are 3 quid or so, both are pretty easy to fit

Post by **aupickup** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:54 pm

sorry hif 44 all ways get numbers mixed up

Post by **annegardner** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:56 pm

Thanks, that sounds a much better option!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri May 26, 2006 8:51 pm

A picture would help - but as above - an HS4 or HIF 38 (both 1.5" carbs - measure approx size across the inlet flange) will be fine on a 1275 unless you are going to thrash it ! An HS2 will run ok - best for economy too - but won't give the full power potential of the engine. There could be all sorts of reasons for the thing not running well - from general engine condition to valve clearance settings, ignition timing and of course carb needle and general setting up. Where abouts are you ? Any decent Minor or Mini specialist will be able to sort this out for you quite easily - or maybe someone here is nearby and can have a look-see for you!

Post by **annegardner** » Fri May 26, 2006 9:20 pm

I am near Birmingham, and am trying to add a phoito of the carb. but can't work out how to do that yet.[/img]

Post by **Packedup** » Sat May 27, 2006 3:06 am

aupickup wrote:sorry hif 44 all ways get numbers mixed up

Had me worried! I Googled, and found a couple of other people saying they had 66 carbs, so thought it might be some exotic I'd never heard of

A 44 is probably the best for a 1275 IMO, but I reckon the PO is probably best off sticking with what they've got, so long as it's not a stupid size...

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat May 27, 2006 5:33 pm

Oh yes - 44 'Vizardised' works very well on my 1275 Mini engine.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun May 28, 2006 10:03 pm

About 10 years ago I ran a midget 1275 with a Minor carb/manifold and exhaust and it ran fine. The small carb will not help at high revs (too restrictive) but to be honest I was amazed how well it ran.

So all I can say s when it is properly set p it will be good and if you go for the 1.5" carb and bigger manifold and bigger bore exhaust it will be even better