Mystery Inlet manifold

Post by **picky** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:32 pm

I have had this manifold hanging around for ages, I have tried several times to work out what it fits but have never got anywhere. It has no markings or part numbers at all. This and the fact that it has cooling fins suggests that it was perhaps an aftermarket item. Its made from a light alloy.

Its not symetrical. Distance between centres of the inlets is 9.5". It fits a single HS2 carb. The fins underneath appear to be avoiding something, exhaust manifold I think.

Ideas??

Picky

Post by **Peetee** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 9:35 pm

Given the placement of the missing fins I would hazard a guess that it's from an engine that is the opposite layout to a Minor - that is with the inlet/exhaust on the right of the car.
The cutouts also suggest a high set exhaust too. I thought it might be pre war but they generally have narrow bonnets so that doesn't fit in with a long manifold.

What about a marine application? high set exhaust and convoluted (finned) manifold designed to facilitate servicing (cooling) in a confined (hot) location or poor access? long manifolds improve torque too so that would suit marine.

Post by **picky** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 11:00 pm

some good points Peetee. hadnt though about it being the opposite side to the minor. still cant fathom why its assymetric though, it must be avoiding something in the engine bay as you dont want one runner longer than the other from an engine design point of view.

it looks like it would fit an austin 7 except for the way it is bolted to the engine.

Picky

Post by **Peetee** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:39 am

you dont want one runner longer than the other from an engine design point of view

Yes that puzzled me too but to a large extent that could be offset by having different internal bores - although, paradoxically, the longer inlet looks to be the wider one

Post by **picky** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 11:39 am

looking at it in more detail the diameter appear to be about the same. Im wondering whether it is off a motorbike? and its offset so that the carb float bowl doesnt hit something. also puzzled as to why there are three levers on the throttle spindle, one from carb, one to throttle control, and one more?

Picky

Post by **paulhumphries** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 12:32 pm

I initially thought motorbike but having the linkages put me off that idea.
I'm now going for some sort of marine application. After seeing an Austin 7 engine adapted for boat use then that gets my vote as a possible application.
Maybe worth trying an Austin 7 forum.

Paul Humphries

Post by **mike.perry** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:56 pm

A few random thoughts:-
Marine engines did not usually use SU carbs and also had a water jacket around the manifold.
Could be another make of carb but my knowledge of anything except the Solex carb on my Suffolk Punch lawn mower is limited

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 7:23 pm

Put it up for sale on ebay -someone will tell you what it is !

Post by **picky** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:53 am

I thought the HS2 carbs had bolts above and below? Im sure i test fitted a HS2 carb to this. diameter of inlet for carb is 1.25"

I got it on ebay ages ago and even the seller didnt know what it was off. cant remember why i bought it, but i dont see the point in selling it if i have no idea what it is from.

I dont think its from an austin 7 as the austin 7 manifold pics i have seen bolt to the cylinder head in the same way the minor ones do, whereas this manifold does not have the bolts either side of the ports.

Picky

Post by **picky** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 4:01 pm

just spotted its got a capital D cast into the three throttle levers, they look like brass.

Picky

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 7:42 pm

picky wrote:just spotted its got a capital D cast into the three throttle levers, they look like brass.Picky

Hmmm Delage? That three way lever is intrigueing- could it be a control for adjusting direct loss oil feed with relation to engine revs? An email to "The Automobile" may get some response, they are a very knowledgeable lot, and have just set up their website ("dragged screaming into the 21st century")!

Post by **picky** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 8:00 pm

i was thinking more along the lines of a mechanical advance/retard lever, I dont know how early the vacuum advance control starting being used.

Given the whole thing a good clean with wire wool, and turns out the 2 of the levers say D on one side, and 1498 on the other. They are all cast in brass. The shaft is made from steel. Third lever is slightly different design and has no markings.

No definite answer to this even though ive posted on the mg bbs and turbominis forums aswell...

Picky

Post by **Peetee** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 8:28 am

and 1498 on the other

Hmmm. Were diesels ever carb fed? The BMC diesel was 1498cc.

edit] Just re-read this early morning post and it sounds pretty unlikely as the fuel is normally injected at high pressure after compression.

Post by **picky** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 3:13 pm

Ive given the whole thing a good clean with wire wool. Turns out all three throttle levers are different. Two of them look like different generations of the same part, as they both have a D and 1498 on them, but the number is in a different sized font. The third one clamps differently and has no markings. Obviously the levers could have come from anything and may not even be relevant to this manifold at all

What confuses me is how the manifold is bolted to the engine. the bolts at the top would be fairly short, studs with big washers and nuts maybe (like the minor) but the lower mounting bolts would have to be much longer, well over an inch long sticking out from the engine. Unless there is a big step in the shape of the engine casting?

Also, it looks likely that there is something (presumably an exhaust manifold) sat right next to the ports, on the inside AND on the outside of this manifold, due to the straight edge and shorter fins, and not a complete hole for the bolts to go through, only an edge to rest on. This suggests the engine has at least 4 exhaust ports. Also most of the older car engines I have seen have the manifold mounting bolts on the same height as the ports themselves, whereas this has the mounting bolts above and below, and at an angle.

A mate of mine who works at a bike shop over in the isle of man has taken the photos in to see what some of the gurus there make of it. This should hopefully narrow it down as to whether it is from a bike or not. The asymmetric shape would mean that the float bowl of the carb doesnt stick out at one side hitting your leg/knee... which argues in favour of bike origins.

It had better be from something interesting after all this research!! see attached photo of the throttle lever. Why are there little brackets above and below the D??

Picky

Post by **ferret76** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 11:45 pm

The little brackets are from when the 'D' was punched into the mold I'd say.

Post by **picky** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 12:29 am

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to how i might find out what this is off? posts on 4 forums have not come up with the answer.

Picky

Post by **paulhumphries** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 9:27 am

What about something like a stationary engine on a generator / road compressor ? The additional linkages could be for the governor.

My big commercial type air compressor has a similar finned outlet which is another idea

Paul Humphries

Post by **Kevin** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:00 am

Hi Picky as mentioned before I wondered if it was from a bike link especially as a couple of the older tuning companies did Amal carb conversions but they dont seem to have used a manifold like your one however along similar lines there is an Alexander Manifold that was designed for the early sprite, but all their products have the name cast into them but you can see the similarity.