SU Carbs - rebuild
Discussion
I haven't dealt with them but may be another option.
http://www.sucarb.co.uk/ExplodedImageCoordinates.a...
http://www.sucarb.co.uk/ExplodedImageCoordinates.a...
Su's are easy to rebuild but if they need new bushes this can be tricky to get right. if the spindle rocks about in the bushes and you don't have a lathe. get someone to do them for you. I have used Burlen (sucarb as above) before and they do a very good job, it can take them a few weeks to turn them round though. It may be as cheap to buy reconditioned ones.
Why not have some fun and complete full rebuild yourself? SU's are so easy to refurb & set-up. For good info buy Des Hammill's "How to Build & Power Tune SU Carburettors" ISBN1-901295-14-1. OR, contact Burlen Fuels in Salisbury see http://www.burlen.co.uk/
rallyspit said:
It's also worth contacting Andrew Turner. He specialises in SU carbs. His number is 01572 767665. He's based in South Witham, Lincolnshire.
a mate of mine bought a fully reconditioned set of S.U carbs from Andrew Turner, whilst the carbs where rebuilt fine, he was very disappointed to find that the alloy parts of the carbs had simply been cleaned (in thinners or the like i guess) then sprayed with silver paint to make them look as if they had been vapour cleaned.Not what was expected from the price charged.
If you're contemplating an overhaul of your car's respiratory system, then my recent experience may be of interest. Nearing the dénouement of a five year battle to re-commission my 1935 Triumph Gloria Southern Cross tourer, one of only fourteen remaining worldwide, whilst waiting for other components to be delivered to rectify an MoT failure, my garage, who are not 'old car' specialists, but had arranged the MoT, suggested that although working adequately, the two carburettors - a 1" sidedraught OM type SU with a choke, for starting and slow speed running and a 1 1/4" downdraught D3 type with a 'delay' linkage to cut in at about 1800 rpm - might benefit from refurbishment. Lacking any previous experience, the garage merely chose the specialist whose website appeared at the top of their screen, that of one Andrew Turner.
The carbs were sent away, to be returned,'In about six weeks'. Six weeks naturally became nine and enquiring as to progress, the garage was told, 'They're away at the platers.' Quite what was being plated eludes me yet! After thirteen weeks, following another 'phone call, two carburettors were returned, the sidedraught OM, but NOT the rare and virtually unobtainable downdraught 1 1/4" D3. This had been substituted, without any consultation or explanation, with a more modern instrument with a choke, that could not be used without modification and would anyway, not be 'correct' on an otherwise original car. Mr Turner has since remained steadfastly incommunicado ...
Mr. Turner advertises on his website, that he takes stands at the likes of the MG and Triumph Spares Days at the NAC. Readers must draw their own conclusions ...
The carbs were sent away, to be returned,'In about six weeks'. Six weeks naturally became nine and enquiring as to progress, the garage was told, 'They're away at the platers.' Quite what was being plated eludes me yet! After thirteen weeks, following another 'phone call, two carburettors were returned, the sidedraught OM, but NOT the rare and virtually unobtainable downdraught 1 1/4" D3. This had been substituted, without any consultation or explanation, with a more modern instrument with a choke, that could not be used without modification and would anyway, not be 'correct' on an otherwise original car. Mr Turner has since remained steadfastly incommunicado ...
Mr. Turner advertises on his website, that he takes stands at the likes of the MG and Triumph Spares Days at the NAC. Readers must draw their own conclusions ...
It's a shame to hear of poor service from any SU rebuilder. Generally, this is why I rebuild my own SU's. The carbs' should be cleaned using an ultra-sonic cleaner and a low pressure fine media hand blasting cabinet, bath cleaned for final cleansing, and then polished where needed/requested. No components should be 'sprayed', some are galvanised. Personally I prefer zinc acid etching the linkages and any non-machine surface/fit components to stop surface rust. I have only needed 1pr to be reamed and re-bushed which I sent to Burlen Fuels of Salisbury some 13 years ago. They are more expensive than some other Co's but I believe there is good reason for this. The carbs' are properly cleaned, properly rebuilt, properly tested, and come back 'as new'.
Needless said:
If you're contemplating an overhaul of your car's respiratory system, then my recent experience may be of interest. Nearing the dénouement of a five year battle to re-commission my 1935 Triumph Gloria Southern Cross tourer, one of only fourteen remaining worldwide, whilst waiting for other components to be delivered to rectify an MoT failure, my garage, who are not 'old car' specialists, but had arranged the MoT, suggested that although working adequately, the two carburettors - a 1" sidedraught OM type SU with a choke, for starting and slow speed running and a 1 1/4" downdraught D3 type with a 'delay' linkage to cut in at about 1800 rpm - might benefit from refurbishment. Lacking any previous experience, the garage merely chose the specialist whose website appeared at the top of their screen, that of one Andrew Turner.
The carbs were sent away, to be returned,'In about six weeks'. Six weeks naturally became nine and enquiring as to progress, the garage was told, 'They're away at the platers.' Quite what was being plated eludes me yet! After thirteen weeks, following another 'phone call, two carburettors were returned, the sidedraught OM, but NOT the rare and virtually unobtainable downdraught 1 1/4" D3. This had been substituted, without any consultation or explanation, with a more modern instrument with a choke, that could not be used without modification and would anyway, not be 'correct' on an otherwise original car. Mr Turner has since remained steadfastly incommunicado ...
Mr. Turner advertises on his website, that he takes stands at the likes of the MG and Triumph Spares Days at the NAC. Readers must draw their own conclusions ...
Ouch. Very upsetting story and I hope you get the rare carb back. I am looking down the barrel of refurbing the 3 SUs on my E-type which hasn't run for a couple of decades. Stories like this are convincing me to do it myself.The carbs were sent away, to be returned,'In about six weeks'. Six weeks naturally became nine and enquiring as to progress, the garage was told, 'They're away at the platers.' Quite what was being plated eludes me yet! After thirteen weeks, following another 'phone call, two carburettors were returned, the sidedraught OM, but NOT the rare and virtually unobtainable downdraught 1 1/4" D3. This had been substituted, without any consultation or explanation, with a more modern instrument with a choke, that could not be used without modification and would anyway, not be 'correct' on an otherwise original car. Mr Turner has since remained steadfastly incommunicado ...
Mr. Turner advertises on his website, that he takes stands at the likes of the MG and Triumph Spares Days at the NAC. Readers must draw their own conclusions ...
lowdrag said:
No one's mentioned it yet, but why not send them back to Burlen? I'd give them a call too before so doing just to check.
I've not had a refurb done there, but when I've spoken to them they've be extremely helpful, including making up custom tubing as one end needed to be post Feb58 connectors and the other end pre Mar58 :-) Very helpful, and in that case the costs were also very reasonable.I would strongly support David Lonsdale. He did a great job for my Mark V Jaguar with a turn around time as promsied. He even delivered them back to me personally as he happened to be passing. The results are fantastic as the car cruises uphills with ease and is more economical. His prices are far far less than Burlen when I last checked
I hope and believe that I've solved the problem with the D3 carb. Visiting Beaulieu Autojumble - a 1000 mile round trip for me - a three or four hour trawl yielded up the mortal remains of an alloy D3. I must however admit to a slight misunderstanding with the autojumbler. Selecting my prize and passing it across the counter, he enquired of his companion, 'How much for this?'I heard him say,'For that? One-fifty!' Sightly taken aback, I said that before parting with any of the folding stuff, I'd take it to the Burlens stand. Identifiable as 'The Skinners' Arms', there were two reasons for my going there. One was to see if, after such a substantial investment, the carb could indeed be properly restored and the other was that, in true entrepreneurial spirit, on a warm day, they were purveying glasses of beer ... Returning only slightly later to the autojumbler, I learned the importance of correct punctuation. What he'd actually said was, 'That one? Fifty!' I was then, quite pleased with myself, although I await Burlen's bill with some trepidation ...
427James said:
Ouch. Very upsetting story and I hope you get the rare carb back. I am looking down the barrel of refurbing the 3 SUs on my E-type which hasn't run for a couple of decades. Stories like this are convincing me to do it myself.
There's nothing to it.Get the rebuild kit, and dooo it.
I've done Cooper S carbs more than once.
1 1/4 inch and 1 1/2 inch twins.
Proper Cooper S, not that MINI guff.
1380 n all.
For anyone who wants to rebuild them you can buy a manual from Burlens or just surf their website the info is on there. If you are feint hearted then send them to Burlens, they are the manufacturers and you'll get a proper job done even if you have to wait a bit longer, don't forget you only get what you pay for.
www.burlen.co.uk or www.sucarb.co.uk
www.burlen.co.uk or www.sucarb.co.uk
After thirteen weeks, following another 'phone call, two carburettors were returned, the sidedraught OM, but NOT the rare and virtually unobtainable downdraught 1 1/4" D3. This had been substituted, without any consultation or explanation, with a more modern instrument with a choke, that could not be used without modification and would anyway, not be 'correct' on an otherwise original car. Mr Turner has since remained steadfastly incommunicado ...
Mr. Turner advertises on his website, that he takes stands at the likes of the MG and Triumph Spares Days at the NAC. Readers must draw their own conclusions ...
[/quote]
Did you get the original carb back ?
PS. a mate of mine has been messed about for 3 months,still not got the carbs right.
Mr. Turner advertises on his website, that he takes stands at the likes of the MG and Triumph Spares Days at the NAC. Readers must draw their own conclusions ...
[/quote]
Did you get the original carb back ?
PS. a mate of mine has been messed about for 3 months,still not got the carbs right.
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