Incompatible Engine Parts?

[Mr. V]

I have a 1961 4-door with a '73 Midget engine and 'box. It has an Hif 6/44 SU (Needle unknown) on an MG Metro heated inlet manifold, and a 1 3/8" lcb exhaust manifold exiting into a 1 5/8" 2 box exhaust. As far as I know the camshaft, stamped what appears to be 1 M 73 on the nose, is standard Midget.

I have heard that an lcb attached to a standard engine with a standard cam can be more of a hinderance than an asset and I'm also worried that the carb might be too big.

It has a fairly lumpy tickover and a smelly exhaust, although the plugs are a decent colour.

What are the best and cheapest (!) changes I can make to make everything better?

[philthehill]

The standard 275cc MG Midget camshaft is not stamped on the nose so I would suggest it is not standard.
The engine set up described above is not under or over excessive in fact a most common arrangement.
I would also suggest that you get the car on a rolling road and get it set up properly.

[Mr. V]

Thanks for those words of comfort Phil!

However, at the moment I'm not prepared to remove the camshaft to identify it, given it's probably got a spider drive.

Could I attach a circular protractor to the front pulley to work out the cam timing as I don't want to take the timing case off (again)?

[oliver90owner]

Could I attach a circular protractor to the front pulley to work out the cam timing as I don't want to take the timing case off (again)?

Yes, you can but the ideal check would involve a dial gauge, to accurately set the TDC and to detect the initial/final valve lift, for a good degree of precision.

[Mr. V]

Thanks. I'll get round to it one day!