8 replies to this topic

[jameslearwood]

I have a 93 rover rio with a su hif 38 carb.

stripped and cleaned up head, new plugs (nkg 6es) and about to install a lcb maniflow twin box centre exit exhaust system with a minisport inlet manifold and k+n cone filter.(new cat included)

Going to clean the carb then begin to strip and clean parts as per haynes what bits do i need before i start i.e. seals etc i have a head gasket kit from minisport so may have gaskets already.

any tips before i start or things to take care with.

needle and set-up should i just leave it and re-install on car as per haynes and get to rolling road as soon as possible and replcae needle then or am i better off replacing the needle and doing some of the calibration myself using hayne and vizards yellow bible then get it rolling roaded?

cheers

[bmcecosse]

Just clean it and use it - you will need something like an AAA needle.

[jameslearwood]

Okay so stripped it down not too bad a bit grubby and was a little bit low on oil just need a new needle and seals where is best to get them from needle coming out was AEM what other bits are worth replacing??? I.e. piston spring, jet? taken the fast idle cam (think thats right) i didn't notice any o-ring or gasket just the two green o-rings on the other bit if that makes sense.

[AVV IT]

I have the same carb with a similar stage 1 set up on a 93 Sprite, I wouldn't bother trying to set the carb up properly or experimenting with needles yourself. Take it to an A - series friendly rolling road that hold a stock of carb needles and they will fit the correct needle for your engines individual set up and requirements. I went through a number of different needles and spent months trying to get mine to run properly after fitting my stage 1, it wasn't until I took it to a rolling road and a completely different needle was fitted that it ever ran properly. The guy at the rolling road reckoned that guessing the correct needle for your engine is just that (i.e. guess work), he also said that he often has to fit two completely different needles to two identical engines with exactly the same setup!

[jameslearwood]

I have the same carb with a similar stage 1 set up on a 93 Sprite, I wouldn't bother trying to set the carb up properly or experimenting with needles yourself. Take it to an A - series friendly rolling road that hold a stock of carb needles and they will fit the correct needle for your engines individual set up and requirements. I went through a number of different needles and spent months trying to get mine to run properly after fitting my stage 1, it wasn't until I took it to a rolling road and a completely different needle was fitted that it ever ran properly. The guy at the rolling road reckoned that guessing the correct needle for your engine is just that (i.e. guess work), he also said that he often has to fit two completely different needles to two identical engines with exactly the same setup!

Okay cheers for that was going to rolling road it anyway just thought it would of saved time doing the needle first i'll just clean it up and get the needle changed at a rolling road then.

Cheers

[bunch1980]

I plan to take mine to a rolling road to when funds allow, although only changed back box I bet carb has not been touched in 17yrs since new and bet it could do with a tune.
Im sure I have seen carb rebuild and service kits for HIF 38 from likes of SC parts etc.

[jameslearwood]

I plan to take mine to a rolling road to when funds allow, although only changed back box I bet carb has not been touched in 17yrs since new and bet it could do with a tune.
Im sure I have seen carb rebuild and service kits for HIF 38 from likes of SC parts etc.

Yeah cheers found one on good old mini spares just took a bit of looking, i bet it will need a good clean haven't said that mine wasn't too bad but judging by the amount of fuel deposits there was in the valves, head and manifolds i reckon it was well overdue a tune up get there in the end though lol

[ministar]

HIF carbs are relatively easy to service. I bought service kit for it as the 44 was in pretty good nick. But I serviced it for peace of mind. Hardest part is the throttle and choke lever springs and getting them to go round and into place. Definately worth doing a service.

[Brams96]

Strip it completely and clean everything with white spirits/thinners. Give all the rotating moving parts like the butterfly & shaft and mating surfaces a quick sand with 600> wet & dry, then replace all the gaskets and reassemble it. You'll be amazed at how different they look once cleaned up. You could even give the pot a coat of whatever colour paint you want.

Here is an exploded view from SU CARBS for reference when you put it back together.