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MG MGA - Help identifying carbs

Hi. I need help identifying a pair of carbs. They are supposed to be for an MGA, but the air cleaner is definitely wrong and I have no idea about the carbs themselves.

The only identifying number on the carburetor is 1160L. I have attached a picture, hopefully someone will know what it is or be able to point me to a resource for making an ID.

MGA Larry

One more pic.

MGA Larry

Larry

They are HS4 carbs. See here: http://www.sucarb.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?detailType=1&id=11218

Steve

Steve Gyles

They look like H4 carbs to me, particularly the vertical pattern for mounting studs, choke arms similar to MGA, accordion clamp on the throttle shaft, bottom mount float chambers. Cable bracket and air cleaners are not for MGA. Float covers are two the same, should be right and left handed.

These carbs may be good for a few parts, but could get rather expensive to restore, given the number of missing parts. Throttle shafts may also need replacing, and if the throttle body is work to the point of needing bushings, it gets even more expensive.

The little tag on top of the float chamber should have a number something like AUC784 or AUC943. If you can read this number I might be able to look it up in the SU carbs manual to find the original application.
Barney Gaylord

Hi Larry. I have an SU factory manual that lists most SU carbs for most cars ever fitted with SU's. I checked through all the listings, and could not find a reference to 1160 L SU carbs. However, in looking through the manual, it is clear that SU H4 carbs were fitted to many different vehicles including Wolesley, Volvo, and Vanden Plas models. Often, detail changes to the basic H4 model were made.to fit the specific vehicle they would be installed on Such changes include different choke arms, throttle linkage parts, metering needles, etc. I looked at your pictures, and the air cleaners look very much like old Volvo air cleaners to me, but I can't swear I am correct. As Barney stated, your carbs can probably be used as a source of parts. Cheers, Glenn
Glenn Hedrich

Thanks guys. I'll probably return them since I need real MGA carbs, not parts ones.

Barney, I think I saw the tag you are talking about, is it stamped aluminum? I'll look when I get home tonight and see if I can read the number.
MGA Larry

They look like H4 carbs off a TR3.

see: http://bringatrailer.com/2008/03/10/unrestored-time-capsule-1959-triumph-tr3/

With the tag number you can find out the commonality of the internal jets an springs. You may not have to return them if a lot matches.

Chuck

C Schaefer

The TR-3 didn't have H4, they came with H6 carbs.

Those carbs are off a TR-2. The air cleaners may be worth something to an early TR owner, and you can use the carbs themselves on an MGA with a change in needles.
Bill Spohn

Chuck, the picture you linked is exactly the air cleaners I have, right down to the "steel wool" filter. If all I need are replacement needles, I'm okay with that. I just don't want to have to buy a bunch of parts to get them to work my my 1500.

MGA Larry

OOPS. My bad. It seems that Bill is correct. The H4 is for the TR2. Go to the Moss site and compare the TR2 and MGA carb parts to check what is common. So far I have looked and they use the same piston springs and jets. Of course the needles would normally be replaced (at least I did) during rebuild. I think that the jet levers may be different.

Larry, I have a complete carb setup off an MGA in storage that I will never use. Not sure how complete it is, but it includes, at least, from the manifold out to the filter plate. Maybe even has the filter housing too. I'd have to dig it out. Make me a fair offer and it is yours.

Chuck
C Schaefer

Chuck, I'm interested, but can't find you in the owner's directory. Send me an email so I can reply to you off-line, thanks.
MGA Larry

Okay, I found the tag Barney mentioned, it says AUC835 as near as I can tell. Where does one go to look that up?
MGA Larry

Larry

The Burlen website has all the SU data as they still make SU carbs. This is the relevant page on their site: http://www.sucarb.co.uk/ProductDetail.aspx?detailType=1&id=9911

Steve
Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve. So it looks like these are Volvo carburetors with TR2 air cleaners. Or do Volvo and Triumph share part numbers?
MGA Larry

I am looking for SU H4 carbs for salvage parts. Want to sell yours?
H Speer

H Speer,

I was checking these out for possible purchase so they aren't mine but I'll check with the owner and see how much he wants for them. Send me an email so I have your address.
MGA Larry

This thread was discussed between 09/10/2008 and 10/10/2008

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