40 replies to this topic

[scrippo]

Hi all,

I have a HIF44 carb going on my engine. The thing is, once the bracket for the cable, spacer, and gaskets have gone between the inlet and the carb, there is just no clearance between the carb and the bulkhead. In fact, so little clearance that I can even get the carb bolted on. I can't leave the spacer out as then the throttle/choke catches the inlet, and I imagine I'll need this anyway!

What can I do? I suspect the inlet might be to blame due to the angle of the ports. I have a minispeed inlet.

Cheers,

Scrippo

[Big_Adam]

I have yet to see any after market inlet manifold fit properly.

I do wonder why.

I ended up (with my HS4) was remove the spacer and grind the manifold to fit the cables.

[Jackman]

What front subfame is in it? The later frames had the mounts further forward to allow clearance for the HIF's if its an earlier frame you will need to modify the bulkhead to gain clearance.

[GraemeC]

Build the carb up onto the manifold before fitting the whole lot as an assembly.

If it still won't go then buy an adjustable engine steady and lean the engine forward slightly. There are also some thinner spacer available (I have one) but don't know where from!! Maybe Burlen?

[Guess-Works.com]

What front subfame is in it? The later frames had the mounts further forward to allow clearance for the HIF's if its an earlier frame you will need to modify the bulkhead to gain clearance.

I'm pretty sure the change to the engine mounting was associated with getting the Injection Manifold in and not the HIF.. .

Standard fit for the HIF was the cast iron manifold, which leave plenty of room for carb, elbow and filter.

[Jackman]

Its deffo the HIF carb. I have an injection engine on a early 87 frame and it fits no problems, also got another fitted on a 82 frame with plenty of clearance. The HIF required the bulkhead to be modified to fit.

[ash]

What size spacer do you have? I took mine to a local machine shop who cut it down so the throttle still cleared the manifold but reduced the size enough for it to clear the bulkhead (only just though). To get my carb on and off i have to loosen off the engine steady and pull the engine forward which gives me enough room to wiggle it on.

[Guess-Works.com]

Get your facts right...

HIF44 introduced for the first time in a mini on the Carbed cooper...

The HIF38 was introduced when the Open loop cat system was added replacing the std HS4 used up until then..

Your 1987 subframe pre-dates both these modifications...

I'll concede the point that the forward movement of the engine came in with the 1300 cooper..

But, you can fit an HIF44 what ever subframe you use...

I have an HIF44 mounted on an engine with an early 70's subframe, using std bars...

Problems are usually associated with cheap inlet manifolds not made to the correct dimensions or the wrong air filter being used, which should be either a cone or pan with the air hole at the bottom...

[scrippo]

It's a manual subframe from a 1983. I don't fancy modifying the bulkhead, especially after I've just had it resprayed. Surely there must be something less fatal I can do!

I'll be using a K&N cone filter so presumably no need for the elbow? Would a cast iron manifold have a negative effect on power?

Will try fitting as an assembly, but the manifold nuts are hard enough to get on behind the manifold, so that should be fun! Was thinking about an adjustable engine steady, but wondered if pulling the engine forward would put stress in other areas?

Surely someone like Specialist components could make a killing by making the first well fitting inlet manifold! I'd certainly buy one!

[scrippo]

My spacer is a centimetre thick. Just bought it from Minispares for a tenner

[Jackman]

John im confused... i know my subframe pre-dates these changes i was saying both of these subframes has spi engine on them, they fit with no modifications required to the bulkhead.

Both of these fames have also tried to have hif's fitted in the past, they would not fit without bulkhead modifcations. Different inlet manifolds have been tried with no joys. Every car i know of which runs the hif's have had the bulkhead knocked to allow clearance, they all run K&N cone filters too.


The holes were changed to allow extra clearance for the HIF's on the coopers, not the injection engines.

[Guess-Works.com]

I must be special then, as I've never had to 'modify' a bulk head to put an HIF carb in...

But then I don't use cheap parts..

[scrippo]

I think the manifold is definitely the culprit. Where do you advise I get a decent inlet from, that is proven to work?!

[Guess-Works.com]

I either have maniflow or Minispares.

And do as GraemeC says, build the carb onto the manifold and then ease into the engine bay ( leaning the engine forward while doing it ), then bolt it up and the top engine steady.

Edited by GuessWorks.co.uk, 03 April 2009 - 10:18 AM.

[Jackman]

I either have maniflow or Minispares.

Same to what i use... must be cheap.