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Re: [Healeys] Another backfiring question

To: "healeys@autox.team.net" <healeys@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Another backfiring question
From: Michael Salter <michaelsalter@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2021 12:08:24 -0500
Delivered-to: mharc@autox.team.net
Delivered-to: healeys@autox.team.net
References: <CH2PR13MB3496A1BA0F7492EC7E376829B8BA9@CH2PR13MB3496.namprd13.prod.outlook.com> <1753560953.193599.1611929637112@mail.yahoo.com> <2900b337-893f-034c-e1b9-622d0c6ae4ed@comcast.net>
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It seems to me that most of the responses to this issue with "backfiring"
through the carbs at higher throttle settings of engine speeds fail to
address the question of carburettor needle profile.
The needle profiles recommended for our cars were developed by dyno testing
at Morris Engines. The fuels used for these tests would have been somewhat
different from what we get today and this almost certainly has a
significant effect on the needle requirements for engines running on SU
carburettors.
Data is a bit hard to find on the subject but what reading I have done
indicates that there have been very significant changes in SG and oxygen
content over the years.
I would surmise that there is a very good chance that one of the results of
these changes would be the necessity to use reprofiled needles to maintain
consistent mixtures throughout all operating conditions.
A pretty good idea of what mixtures the engine is ingesting can be acquired
by installing an O2 sensor and gauge like this.
<https://www.amazon.com/AEM-30-0300-Wideband-Sensor-Controller/dp/B0184TSI8=
4/ref=3Dsr_1_9?dchild=3D1&keywords=3D02+gauge&qid=3D1611939439&sr=3D8-9>
After taking readings with a needle height gauge through the problem areas
the results obtained can then be used to select an improved profile needle
from the huge selection that SU produced.
People have been known to put needles in a drill press and use emery paper
to decrease the diameter of SU needles to "adjust" mixtures through the
affected areas of the range rather than buying dozens of sets of needles to
experiment with then purchasing needles that duplicate the "modified"
profile.
Not a project for the faint of heart and to do it properly you need a
dyno....

M

On Fri, Jan 29, 2021 at 11:18 AM Bob Spidell <bspidell@comcast.net> wrote:

> I dunno if it can cause high RPM backfiring (I think it could), but the
> airflow on all (2-3) carbs has to be the same--or, at least, very close--=
at
> all throttle positions. This has to be checked off-idle, obviously, but i=
f
> it's good at, say, 2,500RPM it should be good at all speeds; if not, you
> have to disconnect the throttle connect shaft to set them. I suppose a
> crack Brit-car mechanic can test with the recommended 'hose-in-the-ear'
> technique--my ear hose is collecting dust somewhere--but I use a Uni-Syn.
>
> To paraphrase the TV commercial we've all (probably) seen a thousand
> times: "If you don't have a carburettor synchronizer, get one."
>
> Bob
>
> On 1/29/2021 6:13 AM, healeyguy--- via Healeys wrote:
>
> Len and Listers
> Pushing the pin up to lift the piston is the start of the "test the
> mixture setting" exercise. You begin the push, ever so slightly,  and
> listen to the idling engine. The idle goes up.  What do you do next? You
> continue to raise the pin  to see what happens. If the idle continues to
> rise you know you are in a rich condition. If the idle stops going up and
> starts to drop off the mixture is pretty close. If the idle does not
> increase from the start you usually assume you are in a lean condition.
> This gets the carb mixture close at idle which in theory means the carb i=
s
> going to operate throughout the RPM range.
>
> There is one other assumption here, that being that the carbs is in the
> same condition as new mounted on an engine operating as new. That is when
> allot of other stuff comes into play.  The carb float bowl items,
> needle/seat and float level  must be set correctly. Float must not be
> leaking thus making it sink. Carb must have the correct main needle and j=
et
> and they have to be installed and adjusted correctly. Flutter at high RPM
> may indicate that the piston spring in the suction chamber is weak or the
> incorrect spring installed. Ignition timing and condition and setting of
> ignition points.
> The list goes on and on......
> P
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Leonard Berkowitz <DrBerkowitz@hotmail.com>
> <DrBerkowitz@hotmail.com>
> Subject: [Healeys] Another backfiring question
>
> Hi all
>
> Just finished repairing and reinstalling the carburetors on my BJ7. I
> thought I had everything adjusted properly. According to my Haynes Manuel
> the engine speed should increase slightly when you lift the piston a very
> small amount. Mine does that.  My dwell angle is where it needs to be and
> the car starts and idles nicely. Also sounds beautiful when I punch the
> accelerator linkages. The problem is that when I get it up to 60-70 mph I
> get what sounds like backfiring into my carburetors. Also sounds like it
> doesn=E2=80=99t have a whole lot left in the tank, so to speak. Does that=
 sound
> like I am running too rich or too lean?
>
> Len Berkowitz
>
>
>
>
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>

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<div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sa=
ns ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-ser=
if">It seems to me that most of the responses to this issue with &quot;back=
firing&quot; through the carbs at higher throttle settings of engine speeds=
 fail to address the question of carburettor needle profile.</span></div><d=
iv class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;fo=
nt-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif">The needle prof=
iles recommended for our cars were developed by dyno testing at Morris Engi=
nes. The fuels used for these tests would have been somewhat different from=
 what we get today and this almost certainly has a significant effect on th=
e needle requirements for engines running on SU carburettors.</span></div><=
div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;f=
ont-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif">Data is a bit =
hard to find on the subject but what reading I have done indicates that the=
re have been very significant changes in SG and oxygen content over the yea=
rs.</span></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic san=
s ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-seri=
f">I would surmise that there is a very good chance that one of the results=
 of these changes would be the necessity to use reprofiled needles to maint=
ain consistent mixtures throughout all operating conditions.</span></div><d=
iv class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;fo=
nt-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif">A pretty good i=
dea of what mixtures the engine is ingesting can be acquired by installing =
an O2 sensor and gauge like <a href=3D"https://www.amazon.com/AEM-30-0300-W=
ideband-Sensor-Controller/dp/B0184TSI84/ref=3Dsr_1_9?dchild=3D1&amp;keyword=
s=3D02+gauge&amp;qid=3D1611939439&amp;sr=3D8-9">this.=C2=A0 <br></a></span>=
</div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-=
serif;font-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font c=
olor=3D"#000000">After taking readings with a needle height gauge through t=
he problem areas the results obtained can then be used to select an improve=
d profile needle from the huge selection that SU produced.</font></span></d=
iv><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-ser=
if;font-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font colo=
r=3D"#000000">People have been known to put needles in a drill press and us=
e emery paper to decrease the diameter of SU needles to &quot;adjust&quot; =
mixtures through the affected areas of the range rather than buying dozens =
of sets of needles to experiment with then purchasing needles that duplicat=
e the &quot;modified&quot; profile.<br></font></span></div><div class=3D"gm=
ail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"=
><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color=3D"#000000">Not a=
 project for the faint of heart and to do it properly you need a dyno....</=
font></span></div><div class=3D"gmail_default" style=3D"font-family:comic s=
ans ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-se=
rif"><font color=3D"#000000"><br></font></span></div><div class=3D"gmail_de=
fault" style=3D"font-family:comic sans ms,sans-serif;font-size:small"><span=
 style=3D"font-family:arial,sans-serif"><font color=3D"#000000">M</font></s=
pan><br></div></div><br><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr" class=
=3D"gmail_attr">On Fri, Jan 29, 2021 at 11:18 AM Bob Spidell &lt;<a href=3D=
"mailto:bspidell@comcast.net";>bspidell@comcast.net</a>&gt; wrote:<br></div>=
<blockquote class=3D"gmail_quote" style=3D"margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-=
left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
 =20
   =20
 =20
  <div>
    I dunno if it can cause high RPM backfiring (I think it could), but
    the airflow on all (2-3) carbs has to be the same--or, at least,
    very close--at all throttle positions. This has to be checked
    off-idle, obviously, but if it&#39;s good at, say, 2,500RPM it should b=
e
    good at all speeds; if not, you have to disconnect the throttle
    connect shaft to set them. I suppose a crack Brit-car mechanic can
    test with the recommended &#39;hose-in-the-ear&#39; technique--my ear h=
ose
    is collecting dust somewhere--but I use a Uni-Syn.<br>
    <br>
    To paraphrase the TV commercial we&#39;ve all (probably) seen a thousan=
d
    times: &quot;If you don&#39;t have a carburettor synchronizer, get one.=
&quot;<br>
    <br>
    Bob<br>
    <br>
    <div>On 1/29/2021 6:13 AM, healeyguy--- via
      Healeys wrote:<br>
    </div>
    <blockquote type=3D"cite">
     =20
      <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">
        <div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:blac=
k">
          <div id=3D"gmail-m_-5427403641000448200yiv9115048286">
            <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"=
>Len and Listers</div>
            <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"=
>Pushing the pin up to lift the piston is the
              start of the &quot;test the mixture setting&quot; exercise. Y=
ou
              begin the push, ever so slightly,=C2=A0 and listen to the
              idling engine. The idle goes up.=C2=A0 What do you do next? Y=
ou
              continue to raise the pin=C2=A0 to see what happens. If the
              idle continues to rise you know you are in a rich
              condition. If the idle stops going up and starts to drop
              off the mixture is pretty close. If the idle does not
              increase from the start you usually assume you are in a
              lean condition.=C2=A0 This gets the carb mixture close at idl=
e
              which in theory means the carb is going to operate
              throughout the RPM range.=C2=A0=C2=A0</div>
            <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"=
><br>
            </div>
            <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"=
>There is one other assumption here, that
              being that the carbs is in the same condition as new
              mounted on an engine operating as new. That is when allot
              of other stuff comes into play.=C2=A0 The carb float bowl
              items, needle/seat and float level=C2=A0 must be set correctl=
y.
              Float must not be leaking thus making it sink. Carb must
              have the correct main needle and jet and they have to be
              installed and adjusted correctly.=C2=A0<span style=3D"font-si=
ze:10pt;background-color:transparent">Flutter at high
                RPM may indicate that the piston spring in the suction
                chamber is weak or the incorrect spring installed.
                Ignition timing and condition and setting of ignition
                points.</span></div>
            <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"=
>The list goes on and on......</div>
            <div style=3D"color:black;font:10pt Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"=
>P<br clear=3D"none">
              <br clear=3D"none">
              <br clear=3D"none">
              <div style=3D"font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;colo=
r:black">-----Original
                Message-----<br clear=3D"none">
                From: Leonard Berkowitz <a href=3D"mailto:DrBerkowitz@hotma=
il.com" target=3D"_blank">&lt;DrBerkowitz@hotmail.com&gt;</a><br clear=3D"n=
one">
                Subject: [Healeys] Another backfiring question<br clear=3D"=
none">
                <br clear=3D"none">
                <div id=3D"gmail-m_-5427403641000448200yiv9115048286yqt5839=
2">
                  <div id=3D"gmail-m_-5427403641000448200yiv9115048286">
                   =20
                    <div dir=3D"ltr">
                      <div style=3D"font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-seri=
f;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
                        Hi all</div>
                      <div style=3D"font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-seri=
f;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
                        <br clear=3D"none">
                      </div>
                      <div style=3D"font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-seri=
f;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
                        Just finished repairing and reinstalling the
                        carburetors on my BJ7. I thought I had
                        everything adjusted properly. According to my
                        Haynes Manuel the engine speed should increase
                        slightly when you lift the piston a very small
                        amount. Mine does that.=C2=A0 My dwell angle is whe=
re
                        it needs to be and the car starts and idles
                        nicely. Also sounds beautiful when I punch the
                        accelerator linkages. The problem is that when I
                        get it up to 60-70 mph I get what sounds like
                        backfiring into my carburetors. Also sounds like
                        it doesn=E2=80=99t have a whole lot left in the tan=
k, so
                        to speak. Does that sound like I am running too
                        rich or too lean?=C2=A0</div>
                      <div style=3D"font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-seri=
f;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
                        <br clear=3D"none">
                      </div>
                      <div style=3D"font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-seri=
f;font-size:12pt;color:rgb(0,0,0)">
                        Len Berkowitz=C2=A0</div>
                    </div>
                  </div>
                </div>
                <br>
                <br clear=3D"none">
              </div>
            </div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <br>
    </blockquote>
    <br>
  </div>

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