Louis Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Hi, I have just become the proud new owner of a 1959 TR3A and wondered if anyone could give me any contacts with regards to balancing the SU carbs in the Northamptonshire area. many thanks Louis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
foster461 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi, I have just become the proud new owner of a 1959 TR3A and wondered if anyone could give me any contacts with regards to balancing the SU carbs in the Northamptonshire area. many thanks Louis Hi Louis, welcome and congrats on the TR3 acquisition. I think most of us balance our own carbs. 5 mins and a length of tubing stuck in one ear to listen to the tone usually works as well as all the fancy gizmos. If this is unchartered territory for you seek out the local club and I'm sure someone will give you a hand to check them out. If the carbs are worn and are leaking air or they have other issues that are creating mixture problems then that is a different matter and you probably would need to seek a specialist if this is all new to you. Stan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Thanks Stan, i may just have a go, although i normally make things a lot worse...!. I hope its just the SUs that need attention i have to use a small amount off choke to keep the old girl idleing and she hates low engine revs when on the move and splutters a little even on the higher revs and cuts out at junctions. on looking at the plugs they are sooted up. im going to empty the fuel tank at the weekend just to make sure the fuel has not gone off, not sure how long shes been standing..? and go from there. Thanks for the reply any other advice would be great. many thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 (edited) Hi Louis, welcome to the forum. The low tickover can easily be sorted, there is an adjuster on the side of the carbs - bring it up to about 800RPM. The sooty plugs could be because of the choke. NOTE - the choke could actually be jammed in the ON position thus giving rich mixture. Old modern petrol is not good. As you say, drain it out and put in new. Keep the old stuff for cleaning oily things. As Stan says adjust/balance the carbs by listening to the airflow (filters off). The mixture can be adjusted by the big nut under each carb (one flat at a time). This moves the main jet in and out. Make sure the choke is moving in/out properly. Join the TR Reg - it will be the best £40 you will ever spend - then go along to your local group - a mine of information. Roger Edited May 15, 2012 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
e_ingemann Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 You can check for wear by testing the play of the throttle arms, if they are not very tight, one reason for your problems could be that the fuel mixture is set too rich, in order to get the engine revs down when idle, because you will have airflow from the bushes. I had the same issue with mine and had to have new bushes fitted at the carburettor body. It is not a big operation, but if you have not done this before, have a machine shop do this for you, since the bushes will need reaming to correct size once fitted, you should allso exchange the throttle arms in this case. Good luck! Cheers, Esben Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 (edited) Louis, Welcome to the Register. I'd put money on stale petrol if its been in the tnak since last summer. Often filling up with fresh 97RON will revive the old fuel remaining in the tank - no need to drain it. It might not be the carbs - I would check the igntion timing as that can cause the poor response and blacken the plugs if badly out. Static timing is easy to check and set, after setting the points gap. SUs usually hold tune rather well - but the timing can go off easily. Of course we dont know what the PO did..... Peter Edited May 15, 2012 by Peter Cobbold Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Louis ~ Tuning SU's is a doddle ~ honest! 1. Remove both suction chambers and then screw the jets up level with the bridge. 2. Screw down each jet adjuster 10 'flats'. 3. Refit the suction chambers and start the engine (which must be at normal running temperature. 4. Using the rubber tube ~ place it in the air intake and listen to the 'hiss'. Both carbs. should sound the same, if not adjust the throttles with the slow running screws until both sound the same. 5. With the engine on fast idle (first pull of the choke control which should only operate the fast idle cam and not move the jets). use the piston lifting pins on the right hand side of the carburettor bodies to slightly lift the pistons about 1mm. If the engine begins to stall the mixture is too weak, unscrew the jet adjuster by one more 'flat' and try again. If on the other hand the engine revs up this is because the mixture is too rich. The correct setting will be that the engine will rev up slightly and revert to normal running. Hope this helps? If you come over to Bangor (north Wales) I'll do the job for you ~ FREE!! Regards ~ Tom. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted May 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 (edited) Thanks very much guys, you have all made it sound so easy. I shall give it a go at the weekend when i have more time. Roger i think/hope the wife joined the register for me today. so hopefully by this time next year i wont be so green at all this. thanks Tom for your offer i so wish i was closer. thanks again... Wayne aka Louis Edited May 15, 2012 by Louis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 Hi Tom, I'm on my way - get the kettle on. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Fireman049 Posted May 15, 2012 Report Share Posted May 15, 2012 (edited) Hi Roger ~ Kettle on! Please give your ETA? Beware of Japanese snipers at the English/Welsh border ~ leave your bullet proof hat on! "We'll Keep a Welcome!" Tom. Edited May 15, 2012 by Fireman049 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted May 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Just an update, drained old fuel and replaced with some nice clean fuel and have managed to get the beast ticking over when warm with no aid of the choke so my goal is near. i have also found an old fella... (older).. that has worked on carbs for the last 110 years or so that is going to give me a hands on lesson in carb fettling, so mot next week and fingers crossed on the road. Thanks for all you advice see you guys soon. regards Wayne Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rogeraero Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Hi Louis, I live just outside Northampton and use Northampton Motorsport on the Rothersthorpe Inustrial Estate.I highly recommend them. Regards Roger B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted May 17, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Thanks Roger....Northampton Motorsport seems to be a name i keep hearing, have you ever had you vehicle on their rolling road.....? I know they charge £90+vat an hour but how many hours could it be on there..? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Peter Cobbold Posted May 17, 2012 Report Share Posted May 17, 2012 Just an update, drained old fuel and replaced with some nice clean fuel and have managed to get the beast ticking over when warm with no aid of the choke so my goal is near. i have also found an old fella... (older).. that has worked on carbs for the last 110 years or so that is going to give me a hands on lesson in carb fettling, so mot next week and fingers crossed on the road. Thanks for all you advice see you guys soon. regards Wayne Ask him to give you a lesson in spark timing too - can't fix carbs if timing is off, they work together. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ashley James Posted May 18, 2012 Report Share Posted May 18, 2012 Ask him to give you a lesson in spark timing too - can't fix carbs if timing is off, they work together. Particularly so with 4 cylinder TRs IMO. They only have to be a tiny bit retarded for them to appear very weak, no names mentioned Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted May 21, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Had my fettling lesson today..will i remember.???? im sure with all your instructions and what ive been shown i will. Anyway alls good, running as sweet as a nut. Now for the MOT, hopefully Wednesday. Cheers chaps. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Posted May 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Happy Days....Passed mot and the suns out. first time ive had a good look at the underside really happy.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
e_ingemann Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Congratulations, happy driving! Cheers, Esben Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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