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MG TD TF 1500 - SU NEEDLES

Im looking for the needle length of ES needles in 1 1/4 carbs.
During engine rebuild, I had to get the SU's rebuilt. Now I can't seem to get the carbs to run the proper mixture.
Setting them up, I had to go to 16+ flats down to get the proper response with the 1/32 piston lift, and to keep the engine running. The plugs still do not have a lot of color, and seem to be running lean.
The engine is also running hotter than I would like to see under load.
Is it possible that the needles were made too long which necessitates the 16+ flats down ?

Steve
Steve Wincze

Steve - all needles are the same length, I believe; I have never heard of needles made too long. Be sure the shoulder of the needle is flush with the bottom of the piston.

Who did the rebuild? Have you also checked the float level?

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

Tom,
The rebuild was done in NY,, I would like to think that everything was done correctly,, I agree with what you said about the needles (hopefully) being all made the same, . Do you have an ES needle that you can measure ?? 16+ flats is a lot,, and still have lean looking plugs.



STEVE
Steve Wincze

Tom,
Mistakes happen
http://forum.arielownersmcc.co.uk
Steve Wincze

The standard ES needle (and everything else I measured) is 1.961 inches tip to tip, with the business end of the needle 1.525 inches long, The wider end which is clamped in the piston is .436 inches in length.
Lew3

Thanks Lew
Steve Wincze

I know it's obvious but check your float level. Too low will produce your problem.

Stuart
S Grimm

16 flats is 2 2/3 turns, which is not an unusual place to end up when you tune the carbs. But you seem to be saying that that position was still not low enough.

Did you set the valves and timing before adjusting the carbs? It is essential that these be right.

You might want to look at Dave Braun's treatise on setting up carbs: http://www.dbraun99.com/Setting_SU_Carburetors%C2%AD_Rev_C.pdf. Definitely, check the float level.
S Maas

I doubt it's the needles... I just brought another thread about the guts being wrong back to the top...have a read
L E D LaVerne

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2016 and 20/09/2016

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