I haven't been able to find any info on spring loaded SU needles (which are held against the base of the dashpot by a small spring). I have two - the needle is held at an angle - wouldn't this promote wear against the jet?

or should it be held straight and are mine wrong?

is there any point/benefit to them?

it looks like the needle can be removed from the bit the spring bears on and be used as normal - does anyone know if this IS the case?

_________________
1958 Morris Minor 1000 - "Nigel"

Hi Hagar
I'm no expert on carbie's by a long shot, But the needle's on a spring are called; floating needle's. My understanding of them is they are a little more forgiving in the setting up department, Than the fixed type.

_________________
One Lill-Red 1100
A project morris van
One rusty assed delux shell
and a clubby van

The benefit is that you don't have to centre the jet. If you have ever played with HS series carbs you will know how fiddly this can be. But with the HIF carb there is no way to centre the jet so you have to use a spring loaded needle.

The other benefit is the needle and jet wear out quicker so they can sell more parts.

YES, they wear themselves and the jet out quicker.
Somewhere I read they and the jet should be inspected for wear every 20,000 miles I think it was.
Great design!! ....NOT

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Just another variable that makes the HIF inferior to the HS.

just another variable that make the hif inferior to the hs.
ill remember that when the guys at motorkahanas start coughing and spluttering due t fuel starvation on cornering.

There is nothing wrong with the spring loaded needle , i have never had to replace a jet due to needle wear, i have seen needle wear but thats about it.

wonder why hs carbs dont have roller bearings on the dash pot set up? thats right cos they are an old design.

_________________
www.minicranks.com add me to your watch list and come back again soon, under construction.

Allright, you win!

Ah well I'll just stick to my Italian carb then- it has proper jets, NO needles, ball bearing spindle, and stays in tune.

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I made a statement about maybe putting a single 1 1/2 SU on my 1100 instead of the twin 1 1/4s....in the back of my mind a little voice was saying...."go the small Dellorto!!" (40mm).....

Which carby/manifold is likely to be cheaper initially (to hell with fuel consumption )

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Going price for a s/h 3005 Weber/Dellorto manifold is ~$100, 40DHLA carb $100-200, then allow another $100 for jets chokes etc.

<edit> Talk to Mini Mad, he is fitting a 4EFTE so the Dello 40 may soon be surplus...

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

How do you tell what carb is on your car ?

_________________
1977 Clubman

Show us a pic...

All Minis originally came with an SU (or 2), not counting the Rover ones...
If the float bowl (where fuel line goes on) is attached to the side, it's an HS2 (1-1/4") or HS4 (1-1/2") probably.
The HS2 has it's mounting studs on manifold vertically above one another, the HS4 has them set in a diagonal pattern.
If it has 4 studs in a square pattern, somebody has put an HS6 (1-3/4") on.

HIF carbs came later, we never got them standard in Oz but many have been fitted to cars since.
They have the float bowl integrated into the carb. 2 sizes, HIF38 (diagonal mounting like HS4) or HIF44 (4 studs in square pattern).

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.