TR2/3/3A Rebuilding SU carbs 1960 TR3A

[Tinkerman]

Looks like I need to rebuild my carbs for the 1960 TR3A post 60,000 commission car.

I have rebuilt any number of carbs over the years but never any SU's. I would like some help in picking the right kit to buy and would appreciate any tips and suggestions about doing the job.
My carbs were professionally rebuilt by a company on Long Island, but I did a NO-NO by running the engine about 4 years ago and not running the engine empty of gas. It has been sitting for about 4 years and will not start. I have tried all of the normal items that cause a heart attack on engines BUT cleaning the carbs. Thought I might get away with just a spray cleaning but it didn't work out. Now it has to be a take apart cleaning, sigh...........

Anyhow what kind of kit do I need, bought from whom and any other thoughts and/or suggestions GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks, Dick

 

[DavidApp]

Hello Dick

The SU carbs do not have all the small passages and holes that can get gummed up on other carbs.
As they were rebuilt professionally you may get away with removing the tops from the float bowls, cleaning the bowls and checking that the float needle valves are clear of goo.
Also flush all the old gas out of the system all the way to the connection to the front carb.

Davd

 

[TR3driver]

IF it's just a matter of cleaning, then just a gasket kit will do. Sitting for 4 years, even with old gas, shouldn't wear the jets or throttle shafts, or float valve.

In fact, being something of a cheapskate, I would probably just pick up some O-rings for the jets, and only remove the jets and jet housings for cleaning. If they are blocked, that's the most likely place, and although it's a bit fiddly getting enough linkage out of the way to pull them out, IMO it's a lot easier than removing the carbs from the engine. The cork gasket at the top is almost always reusable, and the metal gasket inside should be fine, so the jet seals (which were originally cork) should be all you need.

But I'm also dubious that that is your problem. Will it fire and die if you squirt some carb cleaner down each carb throat? If not, your problem isn't lack of fuel. If you take the float bowl lids off, do they have fuel in them (float near the top) ?

 

[TomMull]

I know of another instance where newly rebuilt carbs had fuel inlet valves stuck shut after sitting for a couple of years. Tom