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Re: Poor idle when hot

To: Greg Lemon <glemon@neb.rr.com>
Subject: Re: Poor idle when hot
From: Dave & Marlene <rusd@velocitus.net>
Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2004 10:23:09 -0600
Not likely to be an ignition problem.

I have found that having the jets adjusted slightly too rich results in 
an idle that is smooth when cool but gets progressively rougher as the 
engine gets hotter. Lean the jets a couple of flats.

It also seems that there can a great variation of carb temperatures at 
idle, depending on air intake temperature & fan flow. A cold air intake 
& a high flow fan reduce temperatures regardless of heat shields or 
insulator spacers. I've never experienced fuel boiling in the float 
chambers even with no insulators or heat shield. My H6 carbs have 
Neoprene grommets between the carb bodies & float chambers which may 
help. The HD carb has a completely different float bowl attachment which 
doesn't provide as much heat insulation. Possibly my tube header also 
causes less heat to the carbs.

As Greg says, a faster idle helps, maybe partially due to more fan 
cooling of the carbs.

Just rambling about carb heat in general. If it takes shields, 
insulators & whatever to make it better than that is obviously what is 
needed. Try the faster idle & leaning the jets first.

Dave Russell
BN2

Greg Lemon wrote:
> When I used to run SU carb cars with lucas electrics year round in Nebraska,
> where is gets very hot in the summer, I would turn the idle up a bit in the
> summer, because when the car (any of them that I owned over the years) got
> really hot idle would fall off and it would run rougher.
> 
> Maybe simplistic and a patch rather than a cure, but it worked for me.
> 
> Greg Lemon
> 54 BN1
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Peak" <redbn7@yahoo.com>
> To: "Healey List" <healeys@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2004 6:01 AM
> Subject: Poor idle when hot
> 
> 
> 
>>List,
>>
>>Perhaps some of you can help me diagnose a problem. My BN7 (HD6 carbs)
> 
> runs great and idles smoothly until hot.  By hot I mean like after driving
> for half an hour in 90 degree temps (I live in south Florida).  It then
> becomes unable to sustain an idle.  It just idles rougher and slower until
> it dies.  I suspect an ignition problem although all components were
> replaced within the last 18 months.  Any suggestions as to likely culprits?
> 
>>Thanks,
>>John





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