Tuning Your Carbs with an Exhaust Gas Analyzer
... from Fred Sisson's "Bedside Reader"..
with an EFI Addendum by Lorne Goldman
PICK A NUMBER BETWEEN ONE AND THREE HUNDRED...
Did you know that there are 354 needles listed for
(the most common) .090 jet SU! To further compound the problem of choice-
your particular car will probably run lousy on 40% of them, OK on
30%, feel great on 20%, run really great on 5% and really kick
butt on 5%. No wonder so few people
change needles. Where do you start?
Other people's recommendations, even "factory" recommendations
are probably off somewhere in your driving range... maybe WAY off! Just
remember "different is not the same". Different car (and EVERY one is different)
- different requirements- different needles.... No one can "tell" you what
is the really proper needle for your own car. No matter how experienced
they are, it will only be an educated guess at best. We all know that
the big-bucks racers have their engines checked on a dynamometer, simulating
race conditions, with lots of very expensive instrumentation. This is a
bit beyond my modest means and... expertise. Still- there is a way to sort
through the haystack and find the right SU needle for your own particular
car. I guarantee that it will improve your engine's performance, it is
not too costly and it is very rewarding.
ARE YOUR NEEDLES CORRECT FOR YOUR ENGINE?
This is not about "thinking"- this is about "knowing".
How do you know? As far as I am concerned, the ONLY way to
tune SU carburetors is with an on-board exhaust analyzer ($100 bucks).
This way, you can check your car while you are driving it, on your roads
(or track). Anything else is groping in the dark.
Many companies make exhaust analyzers today. They run
somewhere around $100.00. They use an O2 sensor that fits into your exhaust
system and are described in the book. Racer Wholesale now offers
an analyzer that will read two sensors (and there is a decent one in
the J.C. Penny catalogue for $120. GoMoG Webmaster). This is
the really hot setup for twin carbs as you can exactly tune each carb (not
just the resultant combined mixture of the two.)
The analyzer itself is a 'bitty thing. Mine is about 1
½"x 2". It has a series of LEDs that instantly read the fuel/air
ratio- as you drive! Real world stuff here..... I doubt that
any standard carburetor will give the absolute perfect ratio at all times.
However, you can get darn close and the reward for your time and
effort might just be a very dramatic improvement in performance.
At the very least, you will have peace-of-mind, knowing that your engine
is not being hurt from the effects of a drastically rich or lean mixture.
Many of the hot sports racers have the analyzer permanently
mounted in their car. They "tune for the course". Exhaust analyzers are
available as in-dash instruments also. I personally use the analyzer with
the temporary mount as the in-dash units are a bit out of place in
a vintage car. There is also a choice of O2 sensors. I have been using
the cheap kind which runs around $30.00. The 70 buck O2 sensor is better
as it is electrically heated and comes to the initial readings quicker,
but the cheapy works fine once it gets hot. I tape the gage to the
windscreen with "racer tape" so that I can see it at all times while driving/testing.
It reacts instantly so you can even use it to set the power valve for a
Holley carb. Pretty neat. When I am done- remove the gauge and O2 sensor.
There is a blank plug that screws into the sensor hole.
AN ADDENDUM FOR EFI (FLAPPER SYSTEMS)
by Lorne Goldman
Fred's article points to one of the inexpensive devices
that the home mechanic can purchase to fine tune there engine as well or
better than most roadside professional garage. An exhaust gas analyzer
takes the guess work out of carburetor tuning.
It is also the only method of precisely tuning the Plus
8 Rover "flapper" EFI system that was optional between 1984 and 1986
and standard between 1986 and 1990. The later "Hotwire" system has the
ability to be "hooked-up" to a diagnostic unit but the flapper does not.
Tuning is done by attached a exhaust gas analyzer to the tail pipe and
turning the idle air bypass screw on the airflow meter until the analyzer
LED shows the correct CO2 level. (normally 1.5 to 2.5% for a Plus 8).
THE MORGAN CLUTCH SLAVE FOR THE MAURICE OWEN SYSTEM
by Lorne Goldman
Plus 8s 1977-1994ish & Rover Plus 4s 1987-1994ish
A
right hand Girling Clutch Slave cylinder with 7/8" bore. Right hand
inlet and bleed nipple (though can get the a left handed outlet inlet
that won't fit. It has a very short throw of 1 3/8" (35mm). Casting number as stamped on the base is 64673467 but the part number is Girling 74066213.
The bleed nipple and hose inlet can be swapped around, they are both
3/8" UNF ports. Waiting time at this date (2024), if you find it,
is 50 days until shipping.
A
Special Note
offered by Andrew Green
BEWARE!
Unless the replacement clutch slave was supplied by a Morgan
source, it will require some filing at the rear to fit. This part
should be carefully compared
with the one it replaces before installation as the positioning of the
part and the care necessary to place and fit it make it a wise idea to
be certain that no modification is necessary before you begin the
careful
process. You will save much time and frustration with a little caution. The Morgan catalogue indicates the same slave cylinder
was fitted to LT77 and R380 +8s and +4s from July 1984. My original Girling
item has the following on the underside :- 64673467 A BS (or might
be 5 ?) GIRLING D10.
WATCHPOINT: (2021) Andrew's
part # refers to the later clutch used at the bottom of the sd1
bellhousing. See below. Most of that crowd use the parts #s indicated here. Other possible numbers are 64068329 or 64674336. Don't get anal about this. The
only criteria is that it fits!!! |
THE BACKGROUND
The
background is that the Sd1 bellhousing (the all-important part that
mates a transmission to the engine) used to fit the LT77 or R380
gearboxes to these cars for more than a quarter of century
(1977-2004) is not compatible with a Morgan trad, frame or body. It
and/or the frame HAS to be altered. Here is the offending part of the
bellhousing. It is the part that was designed by Rover to accommodate
the clutch slave.
The Morgan Company accomodated the clutch slave in two different configurations
which I have named after the two MMC design chiefs respondible for
them. Both the Plus 8s (1977 - 2004) and the Plus 4s (1987-2000) used
the LT77 or its later swap-in replacement the R380.
The Maurice Owen
Solution: 1977-1995 Sd1 bellhousings
The Bill Beck Solution: 1992/3 - 2004 Sd1 bellhousings
THE MAURICE OWEN SOLUTION
Maurice sheared the offending section for the Rover clutch slave off the
bottom of the bellhousing (left) and welded the section off (MMC metal
work shop). He then
opened the TOP of the bellhousing (right), and moved the release
bearing pivot
from its normal position on the gearbox to the top of the bellhousing.
He then found a tiny non-Rover generic much shorter clutch slave
to replace the now too
long original from Rover.
Bill Beck's
case, he had the
chassis crossmember altered to allow a
bit more bellhousing egress under the bulkhead, giving the
Plus 8 engine some
badly needed room at the front and allowing the engine to be a bit and
level, meaning that it cleared the bonnet hinge and cutting the hinge
or smashing down the SU air filter box was no longer necessary!
However, the outer side of the regular slave's protection had to be cut
off to allow sufficient spacing and debris easily enters these
bellhousings. On the other hand,
production was MUCH faster and the factory could save as the clutch slaves
were free with the engine/transmission purchase.
PROS:
1. It solved the fit problem without requiring a modification of
the frame or the firewall or the engine or its components. Earlier
models forced the hammering flat of the SU air filter housing and later
models a scoop out of the right side valence for the alternator. Early
EFI models required a cut out of the bonnet hinge.
2. It created a bit more clearance under the bellhousing.
CONS:
A. The shorter a clutch slave it the more susceptible it is to
wear. (as noted these little non-Rover/LR slaves are easily confused
and don't last long is the car is used at all).
B. The placement at the
top means a releatively short push rod which usually prejudices the
entry angle and path which causes the slave cylinder to wear faster as
well.
C. As a general rule, it is unwise to place any
hydraulic cylinder BELOW its reservoir. This too accelerates
wear and makes bleeding more difficult.
D. Access to the slave became much more of a hassle in later EFI cars because of the complexity of the hoses and loom above it.
These
cons makes the normal life span of this clutch slave of
this configuratrion decidedly short. You can expect only 12,000
to15,000 miles and must carry an extra one with you at all times. They can be changed roadside. However, I discovered a permanent solution 20 years ago. A used slave sent to an expert to be sleeved
in stainless steel lasts forever. The cost is the same as buying a new one with its limited lifespan. |
THE BILL BECK SOLUTION
Bill
Beck's solution is smarter and saved the MMC even more in cost and
labor. Bill made two changes so that the stock LR/Rover slave can
be used an no welding or patching is needed. Bill sliced the
bellhousing section housing the stock slave open.
PROS:
1. It
allows the standard Sd1 clutch
slave to be used which elminates parts confusion and makes
sourcing easier. Much cheaper in labour and parts than the Maurice Owen
solution. No welding involved.
2. It is easily accessible..
3. It is longer and allows for greater longevity
4. It is below its reservoir which increases longevity.
CONS:
A. It required
a modification of the crossframe piece below. The piece arcs
downward eliminating precious ground clearance at this point;
B. An open
bellhousing is unwise for obvious reasons. (Though I have seen
much worse design modifications in mating bellhousings to
gearboxes! See the US
D&D's to the right!! [shiver]) An open bellhousing collects
debris which inevitably effect the components inside and accelerates
rust.
N.B. To
date, the best bellhousing to mate a non-standard gearbox to a
Rover V8 I have seen in the Morgan world is that made by
J.E. Developments of the UK to fit a Tremec T-5 to a Plus 8. It
is bespoke and totally enclosed. It uses an internal concentric clutch release which eliminates the issues created by an external setup.
SUMMARY:
I have
tried/used them all. I have come to the conclusion that the best option
for me is the Maurice Owen solution with a stainless sleeved slave. It
works and last forever while leaving a pristine interior for the
bellhousing.
Clutch Pedal Adjustment
(LT77 and R380 Plus 8s (1977 to 1996) and Plus 4s (1987-1996)
Replacing the Clutch Slave (LT77 and R380 Plus 8s (1977 to 1996) and Plus 4s (1987-1996)
A local garage will not have an advantage here. The area is Morgan-configuration only. Part
of the neverending odd modifications needed to keep fitting later
motors to an engine bay designed in the Thirties for a 36bhp tractor
engine. ;) That task constantly exhibits a GoMoG Law I call the Deadly
Domino Effect. In this case, the bellhousing doesn't quite fit far
enough into the car because of the:
1. the width of the area for
bellhousing,
2, the crossmember at the bulkhead underneath
3. and the
bellhousing casting placement for the regular LR clutch slave.
Two Morgan designers, Maurice Owen and the Bill Beck, (1967-2002)
addressed the issue differently. However, both designs have er... sad
issues. The mechanical priority, begun when Peter took over at the MMC,
has been for lowering costs.
You and I could
have come up with a better design. But these these designers were given
priorities and instructions and attitudes from on high. You would be
wrong to think that they were incompetent. The sad pity is that, as these cost priorities are indulged and such designs are currently multiplying,
the cars are becoming less and less reliable. (Do not confuse aging and
poor maintenance with bad design They are separate issues.)
We will be deal here with replacing the slave in the Maurice Owen
system. Look at the area atop your engine. I have found some piccies
(above If that is what you have on your car, go pump your clutch
vigorously a bit and then go check if you can see/feel any brake fluid.
(If you get
clutch fluid on your hands, wash it off quickly. I use spray brake cleaner.)
To change the clutch slave shown above.
1. with a 7/16 spanner, remove the line to the clutch master. I find
this makes the rest of the job easier as you can tighten the line at
the slave without twisting the line.
2. Remove the fluid line from the clutch slave.
3. Now the big bolts. These often are unwilling as they are steel and
the bellhousing is aluminium. That creates a galvanic reaction (aka
metal rot) that seizes these bolts. Use the correct socket and if the
two bolts seem reluctant, take some time and use a penetrating oil,
even many times over a few days.
4. When they loosen, do not remove them right away.
WATCHPOINT: the
only annoying danger in this task is losing the cylinder's actuating
rod...which can be a pain in the butt. What I do is grab it with a
small needlenose vice grips as you are removing it then lock
it the vice grips and secure the grips at the side. |
5. Once the rod is secure, remove the big bolts by hand, and
slowly draw the slave towards the engine and, if necessary, a bit
upward until it is free from its actuating rod.
6. Check the new cylinder. You do not
need a rod (assuming it came with one). You should use the old rod
as it has likely been adjusted to the right length for your car. Additionally, this little cylinder, even if it is the correct one, must have had its rear ground/filed to fit a Morgan.
7. Now you must reverse the procedure with the new slave. Carefully
position the slave on the engine side and angle/slide it onto the rod,
only removing the vicegrips when the rod slides in and is captured into
the cylinder and the rubber!
8. Now (after covering the bolts with a little silicone to prevent the
same galvanic reaction mentioned above), thread in the big bolts. Then
tighten them firmly with your socket and ratchet. You can now breath.
9. Now you must reconnect the line to the master clutch cylinder. Use the bottom fitting on the slave for this as you need access to the top one. (there
is no difference between the two but easy access to the top is
necessary for bleeding the system which is next up).
10. Remove the top fitting to allow you access to tighten the line and tighten the line.
11. Thread on the fitting into the master clutch cylinder and tighten after you are assured it is not cross-threaded.
12. Now you must refill and bleed the system. We all have different systems for that. I use any glass jar that happens to be around... with a tube connected between the bleeding nipple and with the other end submerged in brake/clutch fluid.
Make sure the reservoir never empties or you will pumping air rather
than fluid into the system. On which brake fluid to use, CLICK HERE.
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