Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 16:08:15 -0500 (EST)
From: Gary Henderson
Subject: Carburettors...
Hi Bert and others
1) re Strombergs: Had lots of miles and km on these good carbs on Hunters, Avengers etc. The very late ones were deprived of adjustability to comply with EC emissions regulations. At this end of the world, the ability to fiddle with the earlier ones is limited by not being able to source a full range of needles and airvalve springs. The SU with its longer tradition is better in this respect. (Some Avengers actually had SUs as original when Strombergs were in short supply.) Another traditional side-draught carburettor for hairy sports cars was the Amal as used on motorbikes (where the expression "full bore" came from - no butterfly to get in the way of airflow) - many specials in NZ were built using multi-Amal setups, from Model-A Fords with four to Daimler V8s using eight of them!
2) Does any NZ Imper have one of the auto-choke carburettors in good condition that they wish to sell? My perverse nature has led me to keep my '64 Imp original, with high-camber suspension and the auto-choke. The choke mechanism has worn to the point where it could only be repaired by brutal methods.
3) Has anybody ever measured inlet-manifold temperatures on a single-carb Imp?
Cheers
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 21:43:27 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Greville
Subject: Re: Carburettors...
Hi Gary,
My name is Paul Greville and I have been an Imp club member for many years, membership number 130. I have had extensive involvement with Imps - I have rebuilt, wrecked, sold some 59 Imps.
I am an ex Kiwi from Hastings and Auckland. I currently live in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia and would welcome contact from other enthusiasts. I have many standard and competion parts which I am prepared to sell/swap/barter. If yoy can forward me your address I should be able to locate the choke part that you are seeking.
Regards
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 22:07:47 -0500 (EST)
From: Mike & Tich Marsh
Subject: Re: Carburettors...
Wow! Strike on day one of being on the Imp list :)
I too am equally perverse and have determined to restore my 63 Mk I to auto choke - *and* pneumatic throttle! Have you got any of the carby end mechanisms available? The air hose is still there.
I have fond memories of my first Imp slowly 'leaking' the air out of the throttle mechanism on a long road and having to be 'pumped up' to keep up the revs :)
Mike
Date: Wed, 11 Feb 1998 23:00:42 -0500 (EST)
From: Gary Henderson
Subject: Re: Carburettors...
Hi Paul
Thanks for reply. Because the auto-choke setup was widely reviled, many early cars were converted to manual. I am hoping that this might cause the odd whole low-mileage 30PIHT-2 or -3 carb to be hiding in someone's garage.
I suspect that the auto-choke would have been OK, if the intake manifold had run a tad warmer. Mine has always had quite a sharp threshold of air temperature, below which it tends to foul 1 & 4 plugs even with choke disabled. No problems ever with starting, but tends to stall until after it has been left resting hot for 5 minutes or so. After that, no problem.
Adding some thermal conduction from the exhaust to the outer branches of the inlet manifold seems to have helped. If my guess is correct, the Sport models with their water-heated manifold would be less temperamental.
Address is 30 Wisteria Grove, Maungaraki, Lower Hutt NZ
Cheers
GaryH
Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 23:16:36 -0500 (EST)
From: Russell Maddock
Subject: Re: Carburettors
According to what I have, B44 denotes a Super Imp, while the 1 denotes a Mark I. Strange thing is that I don't think there were any Mk I Super Imps.
There definitely weren't any Mark I Imp Sports either, but when the Imp was first launched in the US it was called the "Sunbeam Imp Sportsedan". There's a photo in my copy of "Apex" of Cary Grant taking delivery of his Imp Sportsedan. There's a good chance this is what you have, and an early example at that.
I understood Imp chassis numbering always started at 100, but since yours is number 11 there must have been exceptions to that rule. Looks as if you might have the eleventh Imp Sportsedan built.
Don't suppose it could be Cary's car...... :-)
Russ Maddock
http://www.petrie.starway.net.au/~sunbeam
Sunbeam Imp Sport
Sunbeam Alpine SIII GT
Talbot Alpine GLS
Peugeot 505 STi
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 22:58:50 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Greville
Subject: Re: Carburettors...
Sorry but I can't help. All the vacuum bits that I thought I had for these carbs have long ago rusted away or being dispatched to the local tip.
If I can help with other parts please get in touch by E mail or I can be contacted by phone on 08 90 211.139 or mobile 0417178815.
I have several sets of 125, 150 Stromberg Carbs available for sale (one pair of 125 Carbs are brand new). I also have many Imp performance parts - weber carbs and manifold, full saloon roll cage, rally dashboards, Mountney steering wheels, GT heads and cams, 1" driveshafts, race seat and frame.
Regards
Paul Greville.
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 1998 22:58:57 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Greville
Subject: Re: Carburettors...
Hi Gary,
Another quick note to continue the carb/choke drama. The auto choke carb that I mentioned is damaged, rusted and good for scrap only. Have you thought of swapping over to a pair of 125 Strombergs?
Give me a call by E mail if you wish to change over. I have several sets of 125 carbs (1 pair being brand new) and 1 set of 150 carbs
Regards.
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 07:40:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Mike & Tich Marsh
Subject: Re: Carburettors...
Rats! But I'll be back to you about some of those other bits one day. I have a Mk II that used to have a Toyota motor in it but now has some secret weapon. Looks like a standard sport motor but it comers on the cam at 70mph and pulls like a train from there..... blows a bit much oil to do it often though :(
Mike
Date: Tue, 17 Feb 1998 03:07:33 -0500 (EST)
From: Kristian Jonsson
Subject: RE: Carburettors
Maybe it is not an Imp chassi number plate.
Maybe it is an chassi plate from an Hillman Minx.
Or something else terrible..........
Sorry, now I did give you many sleepless nights.
Kristian J
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 03:19:17 -0500 (EST)
From: Gary Harding
Subject: RE: Carburettors...
Paul,
I have run a standard engine with the Sport twin Stromburgs with pancake air filters and a Sport exhaust system. The engine was very tractable and had an increased top end performance. However, pancake air filters are not advised for an Imp as they do not filter the dust effectively. This will lead to rapid engine wear. Pancake air filters have been referred to as 'an instant rebore kit'. I hope this helps.
Gary
Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 03:19:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Gary Harding <101562.1150@compuserve.com>
Subject: RE: Carburettors
Kristian, I have to agree B441... is an Imp number.
Gary
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 01:45:34 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Greville
Subject: RE: Carburettors...
Hi Gary,
Thanks for the information but its not me seeking the details - Must be someone else.
Where are you located?
Regards,
Paul Greville