How to modify your mini...

Post by **fweddy** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 6:38 am

Came across a book titled How to modify you Mini by David Vizard Covers these other engines:

marina 1300
morris minor

m.g. midget
austin america
austin a35/a40
allegro 1100/1300
austin healey sprite
austin morris 1100/1300

Any one seen it before? Any comments?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Cars-Boats-Mot ... 304063.htm

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 8:29 am

It is classified as the Bible for anyone wanting to tune an `A` series engine, although it can become complex reading, its not a bedtime reading book.

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 9:07 am

Oh yes it is! It helped me nod off last night. Although the wifes snores did blow the pages about a bit

Post by **Kevin** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 10:21 am

Ok Pete so what have you got planned then

, as I am not sure what direction to go in yet although the odd rumble from the bottom end

will help to make my mind up in the near future

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 12:48 pm

Nothing special. 'Large' valve 12G295 head, 1.5" carb alloy inlet, cut down standard exhaust manifold, K&N (if it's not too noisy).
I'm just refitting the valves on the head at the mo. The previous owner did a mild porting job on it and polished the chambers.
I am going to put this lot on a 948 to try it out. I have a 1098 mog as well but this doesn't see much action and it hasn't got the discs and anti-roll bar of the other car so I would be looking for trouble by making it faster. The 948 car is a daily driver and that engine is so much smother that I'm sure it would suit the extra flexibility the new set up should promise. It would be interesting to compare it to a 1098.
The only bug bear at the mo is what to do with all those pipes sticking out of the 1.5" carb??

Can anyone help?

Post by **Cam** » Tue Jun 10, 2003 1:31 pm

The "How to modify you Mini" book by David Vizard is a very good book, but I would say that Tuning BL's A-Series engine by Vizard is better, and they do make good bedtime reading!!

What pipes are sticking out of you carb?? is it a HIF4 or HS4?

You should have fuel in and overflow out (both on the top of the side float bowl on the HS4). The other pipe is a breather inlet and should have an engine breather attached or blanked off. It should NOT be left open to atmosphere as it will severely lean the mixture out.

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 2:06 pm

I believe its the HIF44 it as a large chamber below the throat not a seperate fuel chamber.

The pipes are as follows. Can you identify them all please.
1. on the intake flange brass about 3/4" long
2 just short of the intake flange, tiny, pointing upward'ish
3. two fuel pipes, presumably one is a return - which one and where do I put it?
4. same side as fuel pipes next to float chamber flange.

TIA

Post by **Cam** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 2:28 pm

Ahhh....right it is an 1 3/4" carb then, not a 1 1/2" If it is a HIF44 then it is the same as mine:

1. on the intake flange brass about 3/4" long

If that is on the intake manifold and not the carb, then that is a servo take-off and must be blanked off (sealed). If it is a thin pipe on the manifold itself (pointing up) then it is another vacuum take off and this must be sealed.

2 just short of the intake flange, tiny, pointing upward'ish

That is the vacuum advance take off point - connect to the vacuum unit on the distributor

3. two fuel pipes, presumably one is a return - which one and where do I put it?

The top one is the return and must be left open to atmosphere. Connect a small pipe to it and point it downwards.

4. same side as fuel pipes next to float chamber flange.

?? I think we are a bit confused here, the lowest of the pipes is the fuel in pipe, the two uppers are the fuel overflow (leftmost in the picture) and breather pipe (to be blanked off) rightmost in the picture.

Post by **Peetee** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 5:09 pm

Oh dear, I tried to describe it as best I could

It looks the same design as yours but it has a 38mm dia butterfly.

No1 is on the carb flange that mates to the intake

No 2 OK

No3 Two pipes adjacent

No4 up by the float chamber pointing the same angle as No1

sorry to be a pain

Post by **Cam** » Wed Jun 11, 2003 10:56 pm

Right! OK, if you have a HIF38 (1 1/2") SU carb, then I will describe what you should have.

1. if there is a small connection to the carb flange, then this should be a vacuum take-off for the distibutor.

2. ?? OK??

3. Sounds like fuel in and overflow out (fuel in is usually above the mixture adjusting screw).

4. up by the float chamber???? the float chamber is at the bottom of the carb. "pointing at the same angle as No1"??? what angle?? and with reference to what??

This is getting confusing. I don't want to sound bad but your description is confusing.

Any chance of a picture of the carb?? or e-mail me a drawing (done on paint etc.)

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 9:30 am

I'm sending you an e-mail now cam. I can't work out how to put an attatchment on this site!

Post by **Cam** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 11:19 am

OK, thanks for the picture (very good by the way!!

)

Number 1 = Manifold vacuum take-off, used for different things on different cars (to control emission control systems, air flaps, etc.), blank it off and make sure it is airtight otherwise your mixture will run lean.
Number 2 = Vacuum take-off, connect this pipe to the vacuum unit on the distributor.
Number 3 = Breather inlet pipe, if you have an engine breather in need of connection to something, then connect it to this, otherwise blank it off and make sure it is airtight otherwise your mixture will run lean.
Number 4 = Fuel overflow pipe, connect a tube to this and let it hang down in a safe place to vent spare fuel if the need ever arises (does not normally).
Number 5 = Fuel inlet, below this there should be a screw, which is the mixture setting.

I have also sent you the info in an e-mail.

Post by **Peetee** » Thu Jun 12, 2003 3:00 pm

Cam, you're a star.
"Nothing can stop me now, nothing!"

BTW I should be good at drawing, I am an illustrator