15 replies to this topic

[1964Woody]

'91 Cooper Mainstream. All standard as far as I know. HIF44 Carb. There appears to be a break in the gasket between the carb and the spacer. I have a new gasket and am about to replace it. The carb is held on to the spacer/manifold by two stud in the upper right (when facing the engine) and the lower left. There are four holes in the carb. The question is: Should there be four studs or is it the way it should be with two diagonal ones? Thanks.

[IainNeon91]

Being a HIF44 then ideally, yes it should have four studs.

[smartie93]

The hif44 should have four.

Older carbs like the HS have a flange that only takes two studs so I wouldn't think it would be too problematic to use only two, but If the stud holes are there in the manifold I would use them, it creates a tighter seal, which as you know if your replacing the gasket is important.

[1964Woody]

That's what I was afraid of. It has been acting like there is an air leak. Thanks for the quick replies.

[jaydee]

If you fit it with two studs you'll have an air leak at the two missing

[998dave]

What manifold are you using? The Alloy metro manifold fits the mini and has four studs for the carb, (and is sized for the HIF44).

Regards,

[1964Woody]

Thanks for the replies. Not sure which manifold it is - as far as I know it is the standard one from the Cooper1275 Mainstream. It is a Japanese vehicle that I bought about a year ago so I am not sure whether the manifold was ever changed. It now seems that it will be a bigger job than just changing the gasket. Might as well do a carb overhaul once I have it out to try to install the two missing studs.

[Spitz]

Is it an HS manifold?? ( diagonal mount points )

It should work for you....You should be able to simply replace the gasket and use as it has been used. I would however use some sealant on both sides of the gasket to fill any imperfection where it failed previously.
Ideally yes, you should hold a HIF carb with the proper manifold and 4 studs

[1964Woody]

Is there a way to identify the manifolds (are there numbers of other identifiers on them)? I guess, though, that it does not really matter. I need four studs while I only have 2. The question is, short of changing out the manifold, how to put 2 more studs into the existing one?

[Spitz]

If the manifold is for an HS4 carb then the mating surface is set diagonal ONLY and there is no place for two more studs.
If it has a square mating surface and there is room for the additional studs, but no holes are there, then the manifold needs to be removed if you want to drill and thread the holes.
If the threaded holes are there already....you simply screw in two new studs

HS4 manifold
http://www.somerford...oducts_id=13824

HIF manifold ( 38 pictured...but shows the position for four studs
http://www.somerford...oducts_id=13222

I just reread your first post....you mentioned a stud in upper right when facing engine....if that's the case, then you must have a four stud manifold....

Edited by Spitz, 27 February 2013 - 08:18 PM.

[1964Woody]

It is definitely not the HS4 manifold- the studs are in opposite corners to the ones shown on the Somerford site. It does look like the HIF one shown there with a square surface. Looks like I will be ripping it apart this weekend to try to install 2 new studs although I have a fear that I am going to find broken ones in the 2 extra holes. We shall see.

Thanks for helping me clarify all this. I just notices where you are from so I figure you will understand how hard parts are to get and why I am prepared to drill, tap and repair the existing manifold rather than just changing it out.

[IainNeon91]

If you fit it with two studs you'll have an air leak at the two missing

Sorry to bomb the thread, but this is my set-up, i am using all four studs but the spacer is of a HS4.

All four studs mind you are VERY tight and using HIF gaskets. I'm not experiencing an air leak as i have had one before and i know what they feel like, it drive beautifully.



Although i am having a different problem, help me please! http://www.theminifo...esponse-needed/

Many Thanks,

Sorry again.

Iain.

[Spitz]

You should be able to get those studs easily at Britbits in Edmonton.....or Hunter Classic sports cars in Victoria ( his site is down today )...Call Brit Bits....I'm sure it'll be the same stud as used on stock MINIs and a few others ( remove one to measure length however )
http://www.hunterclassicsportscars.ca/

[1964Woody]

I will check. I may actually have studs in my 'Hell Box". I had to replace one on a different car- got them at Bumper to Bumper of all places. If not will call Britbits.

[KernowCooper]

If you fit it with two studs you'll have an air leak at the two missing

Sorry to bomb the thread, but this is my set-up, i am using all four studs but the spacer is of a HS4.

All four studs mind you are VERY tight and using HIF gaskets. I'm not experiencing an air leak as i have had one before and i know what they feel like, it drive beautifully.



Although i am having a different problem, help me please! http://www.theminifo...esponse-needed/

Many Thanks,

Sorry again.

Iain.

In the picture above you mention the studs are VERY TIGHT, with the arrangement above you have a risk of distortion on the HIFs mounting flange, its needs the 4 bolt black insulation block really, dont go cranking up the nuts where there is just fresh air behind the carb flange.