7 replies to this topic

[Matt23]

I'm working on a recently aquired 1980 Clubman Estate with a 998, it came to me as a running car but needs come attention and its clear the engine install was never properly done, bolts missing and messy wring etc.

It also came with quite a few new parts so I'm working through the mobs one at a time and just got to the exhaust and inlet manifolds this weekend. I removed the existing, sad and rusty downpipes and the beaten up inlet maifold and fitted a new gasket and Maniflow downpipes as well as a new inlet manifold, I had to cut the old downpipes with a death wheel to femove them and the old manifold wss so beaten up I just put them at the top ov the drive for the scrap man.

With everything installed (after at least half a dozen test fits!) I tried to refit the HIF38 (thats what I assume it is) carb but found it fouled the inlet manifold studs, I removed the studs to check the fitment and found it just fits with the float bowl basically touching the bulkhead. I have no idea whta the fitmant looked like before as everything was poorly fitted and leaking and I didnt pay it much attention.

 

I've now read lots of threads on this issue but nothing seems very conclusive, I don't want to try and chnage the angle of the engine as ghat seems like could cause me other issues thatnI ddon't need to get into for a basic 998. So I have a few queries that hopefully you folks can answer before I go made with the parts ordering !

 

• How do I get around the issue of the studs fouling the carb, change to bolts ? Shorter studs (thermostat housing ones look like they would fit)
   
• Is there an inlet manifold that gets around this issue ? the mini spares one doesnt mention this problem, mine doesnt have any casting numbers but does have '230817' printed on it (I can't find a direct refernec to that number but I belive it is a Fletcher or a copy of one
•  
• Would I just be betterboff getting an HS4 Carb ? 

All help gratefully recieved

 

 

[Ethel]

Minis that left the factory with Hif carbs had a bigger dip in the bulkhead cross member. Somebody may know of a manifold that will fit.

 

If the manifold stud touch the carb the spacer/insulator is likely not as thick as intended. You could get by with just 2, diagonally opposite, studs - was good enough for HS carbs.

 

 

38 or 44?

[Lplus]

I'm working on a recently aquired 1980 Clubman Estate with a 998, it came to me as a running car but needs come attention and its clear the engine install was never properly done, bolts missing and messy wring etc.

It also came with quite a few new parts so I'm working through the mobs one at a time and just got to the exhaust and inlet manifolds this weekend. I removed the existing, sad and rusty downpipes and the beaten up inlet maifold and fitted a new gasket and Maniflow downpipes as well as a new inlet manifold, I had to cut the old downpipes with a death wheel to femove them and the old manifold wss so beaten up I just put them at the top ov the drive for the scrap man.

With everything installed (after at least half a dozen test fits!) I tried to refit the HIF38 (thats what I assume it is) carb but found it fouled the inlet manifold studs, I removed the studs to check the fitment and found it just fits with the float bowl basically touching the bulkhead. I have no idea whta the fitmant looked like before as everything was poorly fitted and leaking and I didnt pay it much attention.

 

I've now read lots of threads on this issue but nothing seems very conclusive, I don't want to try and chnage the angle of the engine as ghat seems like could cause me other issues thatnI ddon't need to get into for a basic 998. So I have a few queries that hopefully you folks can answer before I go made with the parts ordering !

 

• How do I get around the issue of the studs fouling the carb, change to bolts ? Shorter studs (thermostat housing ones look like they would fit)
   
• Is there an inlet manifold that gets around this issue ? the mini spares one doesnt mention this problem, mine doesnt have any casting numbers but does have '230817' printed on it (I can't find a direct refernec to that number but I belive it is a Fletcher or a copy of one
•  
• Would I just be betterboff getting an HS4 Carb ? 

All help gratefully recieved

Check it really is an HIF38.  Might be a 44.  The 998 block is shorter than the 1275 as well, which might make the clearance to bulkhead worse.  Personally, I'd use an HS4.

[stuart bowes]

I'm not fully versed on the subject but as a general pointer which may or may not be of relevance.. I thought there were different manifolds and some are tilted at a slightly more upwards angle, you would then get a suitable float bowl joining piece so they sit level

 

don't know what one you have already but a different one might help

 

I only know that because someone mentioned it to me when I posted a pic of my carbs which currently have a sprite manifold thus would be at the wrong angle

Edited by stuart bowes, 17 February 2025 - 03:29 PM.

[mab01uk]

Some of the info in this thread below may help.

 

HIF Carb Doesn't Clear Bulkhead!

https://www.theminif...clear-bulkhead/

 

I have always used the MG Metro/1990's Cooper inlet manifold and HIF carb on 1980's Minis with no bulkhead problems, although they were 1275cc so had the taller block by about 12mm which helps.

Edited by mab01uk, 17 February 2025 - 05:30 PM.

[DeadSquare]

I'm not fully versed on the subject but as a general pointer which may or may not be of relevance.. I thought there were different manifolds and some are tilted at a slightly more upwards angle, you would then get a suitable float bowl joining piece so they sit level

 

don't know what one you have already but a different one might help

 

I only know that because someone mentioned it to me when I posted a pic of my carbs which currently have a sprite manifold thus would be at the wrong angle

 

 

I'm not fully versed on the subject but as a general pointer which may or may not be of relevance.. I thought there were different manifolds and some are tilted at a slightly more upwards angle, you would then get a suitable float bowl joining piece so they sit level

 

don't know what one you have already but a different one might help

 

I only know that because someone mentioned it to me when I posted a pic of my carbs which currently have a sprite manifold thus would be at the wrong angle

The float can be altered to suit any inlet manifold angle, from horizontal to vertical, on a Reece Fish carb.

 

For a 998 cooking engine, I agree with Lplus, fit an HS4.

[timmy850]

Fit a new or properly rebuilt carb (with new throttle spindles and bushes)

 

The HIF carbs are better in a couple of ways, but if you can't get it to fit then an HS4 will be fine

 

I've got a HIF44 on a Metro alloy manifold on a 1098cc engine and it fits fine. 

[Matt23]

Thanks for the replies and I have double checked that it is a HIF38.
After a bit of research I have found a thinner spacer that should help a little and I'm going to try thermostat housing studs.
I'll have a other go at the weekend once I have the new parts, I'd rather try a d name what I have work before I fall back to changing out the carb, I could really do with the car being up and running again due to logistical issues on my driveway !