11 replies to this topic

[Monty400k]

Been advised I needed to replace the carb on my 1000cc 1980 mini, approached Burlen to buy a new one however they don't have any available for 6 weeks, saw a recond one on ebay which looked to be a good deal, it arrived today and looks the part, lots of new parts and clean however straight away I noticed the spindle for the butterfly seems loose, there is play between the shaft and body and side to side movement also. This is a no use as it will draw air right? The seller has a good rep on ebay so will be sending it back if this is the case... Thanks

[robminibcy]

is it a new spindle? I recently replaced the spindle on my carb (1979 mini) due to a slight amount of play and it has completely sorted it. In the ideal world you would also replace the bushes and have them reamed correctly but very often the wear ( or the majority of the wear) is only on the spindle and it just seems a waste of money to replace something for the sake of it!

[Monty400k]

Spec was - Su hs4 (1.1/2") carburettor for the classic Mini 1000cc. it`s a good condition. it`s been taken apart, cleaned & then rebuilt, new parts are an new old stock (abx) needle, new jet seal fitted, & new screws where ever needed & new gaskets fitted, suction chamber top has been polished. Butterfly and spindle look new however if the bushes are worn then that will make no difference as it will draw air right?

[carbon]

If the bushes are worn then you will get erratic idle, not good.

[Spider]

In regards to the 'side to side' movement, if this is at open throttle, that's normal.

 

What's it like with the butterfly closed (back the idle screw right off)?

[Turbo Phil]

As Moke said. When the throttle is open there will be a little side to side movement as it's only really the butterfly that holds it here.
There should be no wobble/up down movement in the bushes though. The shaft should be a good fit here.
The rebuild kits aren't to expensive and overhauling is relatively simple for a compotent DIY'er.

Phil.

[Monty400k]

Thanks for feedback, confirmed what I already suspected, I email the seller and complained and straight away they offered a refund, suspected they are tarting up old carbs and punting them to people who don't know any better to turn a quick profit, would have preferred if they offered to deal with the spindle bushes and send it back to me but probably better off avoiding them if they are willing to send out parts that are so obviously sub standard. Are there any other sources of new HS4's other than Burlen?

[Turbo Phil]

Can you not get a rebuild kit and do it yourself ?

Phil.

[Monty400k]

Been advised there is wear in the body of my carb so this isn't an option unfortunately

[phil hill]

Been advised there is wear in the body of my carb so this isn't an option unfortunately

That is what the replacement bushes are for !!

Speak to AC Dodd on here, he will fit them for you.

Phil.

[Spider]

I have been fitting O rings to the spindles for a while now. It is not a substitute for worn out bushes, but as they do get small amounts of wear, so it upsets the idle when they leak. The 'funny' thing is, since doing this to overcome small wear in the bushes, I've actually found the bushes last WAY longer. It would appear that the reason for this being that the bushes mostly wear from what's drawn in through them. It also holds the Butterfly on centre, so I'm also finding these no longer wear either.

 

If I remember later, I'll throw up some photos.

[Spider]

When fitting O Rings, I machine a small location groove in to the Spindle to locate the O Ring. It's important to get this location just right as too close and the spindle will be tight, too far and the O ring does nothing.

 

I first started doing this modification as part of the dust proofing on the engine.