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Installing SU carbs

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Installing SU carbs
#1
scudrunner Avatar
scudrunner Jay Nichols
La Marque, TX, USA   USA
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1952 MG TD "Lost To Hurricane Ike"
1967 MG MGB "Let Go For MGTD In 1974"
1973 MG MGB "A Work In Progress"
1974 MG MGB "Jay's 74 MGB"
Is there an easy or less than nearly impossible way to install the lower nuts to the SU carbs? I've removed and reinstalled carbs a few times but always have a great deal of difficulty getting those 2 nuts threaded. Anyone have any tips? My short stubby fingers need a break.
Thanks in advance


Jay in La Marque, Galveston Texas.
In God we Trust. All others bring data.
Trust, but Verify

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Re: Installing SU carbs
#2
ghnl Avatar
ghnl Eric Russell
Mebane, NC, USA   USA
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1961 MG MGA "Calvin"
Using a long extension and a 1/4" drive universal adapter, I remove & install the manifold from the head with the carbs in place. I then can work on the carbs at my workbench.


Eric Russell ~ Mebane, NC
1961 MGA #61, 1981 Alfa Romeo GTV6, 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider, 1991 Honda ST1100

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Re: Installing SU carbs
#3
Drewski Avatar
Drewski Silver Member William Estaver
SUMMERVILLE, SC, USA   USA
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1973 MG Midget MkIII "Maggie"
When either installing or removing the carbs, only engage a couple of threads on the top nut, then pull the carb toward you.
This presents the first couple of threads of the bottom stud, and the gap between the lower carb flange and card body is is not filled with the stud end, and more open to allow fingers and nut to navigate the gap.

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Re: Installing SU carbs
#4
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saanich2006 Robert Browning
Atlanta, GA, USA   USA
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1968 Chevrolet Corvette
1973 MG MGB
Get a 10 year old to help you!

I agree with William


Oil leak?? What oil leak? That puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower!!

Law of Mechanical Repair - After your hands become coated with grease, your nose will itch and you'll have to pee.



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Re: Installing SU carbs
#5
Bob Allen Avatar
Bob Allen Gold Member
Houston, TX, USA   USA
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1978 MG MGB
Same on the Zenith Stromberg, if the carb is all the way on, the nuts won’t fit over the end of the stud. Get all nuts started by just a couple threads then tighten them down.

In reply to # 4791007 by Drewski When either installing or removing the carbs, only engage a couple of threads on the top nut, then pull the carb toward you.
This presents the first couple of threads of the bottom stud, and the gap between the lower carb flange and card body is is not filled with the stud end, and more open to allow fingers and nut to navigate the gap.


1978 MGB
When diagnosing issues related to running and stalling, always check to see if you have gas in the tank first.

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Re: Installing SU carbs
#6
scudrunner Avatar
scudrunner Jay Nichols
La Marque, TX, USA   USA
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1952 MG TD "Lost To Hurricane Ike"
1967 MG MGB "Let Go For MGTD In 1974"
1973 MG MGB "A Work In Progress"
1974 MG MGB "Jay's 74 MGB"
In reply to # 4791007 by Drewski When either installing or removing the carbs, only engage a couple of threads on the top nut, then pull the carb toward you.
This presents the first couple of threads of the bottom stud, and the gap between the lower carb flange and card body is is not filled with the stud end, and more open to allow fingers and nut to navigate the gap.

I had done this to a point, but got me to thinking, if I don't put the top nuts on at all, I will have even more clearance. And that worked a lot better.

Quote: Using a long extension and a 1/4" drive universal adapter, I remove & install the manifold from the head with the carbs in place. I then can work on the carbs at my workbench.
I'm not sure how I could get a 1/4' drive in there but I do like the idea of removing the manifold with the carbs, keeps everything together. I didn't need to work on the carbs so I used a few small bungee cords to hold everything together.


Jay in La Marque, Galveston Texas.
In God we Trust. All others bring data.
Trust, but Verify

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Re: Installing SU carbs
#7
Rufus Avatar
Rufus Gold Member Harry Singleton
Deep in the East Texas Piney Woods, TX, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB "The White Car"
1967 MG MGB GT Special "Rusty"
Jay, do yourself a favor while you have the carbs off of the manifold and chase the threads. If the threads are very clean and threads without flaw, you can use your fingers for most of the work. I take it you are installing HIF? They are a bit more difficult than the earlier HS4's. Drewski has it right, don't make it harder on yourself.

Have fun


If ignorance is bliss, I must be the happiest man alive!
Signed

RUFUS
67 Roadster


Member Services:
HS Carburetors www.mgexp.com
Restoration Services. Complete SU carburetor rebuilding services. Complete SU carburetor sets available for RB retro-fit. SU's bought, any condition. MGB's bought and sold. Performance consultation. Rufus-h@hotmail.com 214-686-8692
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Re: Installing SU carbs
#8
KozyB Avatar
KozyB George Kozak
Philadelphia, PA, USA   USA
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1971 MG MGB
To add to the foregoing info about leaving the carbs loose to give clearance to start the threads on the lower nuts, I do my best to try to get a peek at the nut as I'm attempting to install (wearing a head-light and craning my neck), and use the fingers of my left hand to start the rear lower nut, and the fingers on my right hand to start the front lower nut. Having done the job again a few days ago, I'm realizing that my wrists and fingers do not have near the range of motion and dexterity that they used to! After the nuts are started, I tighten them as far as possible by hand, and then use one of my shorter open end wrenched (for swing clearance) to cinch all the nuts down uniformly.

Best regards, George



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2024-05-01 09:37 AM by KozyB.

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