• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

Rich Needles - AUD1474 - Guidelines for use?

Share this page

S

SteveHall64Healey

Jedi Trainee
Offline
Does anyone know of any guidelines for the use of rich needles (AUD1474) versus the standard needles on the HD8 carburetors? I am wondering when to use the rush needles instead of the standard needles.

Thanks
Steve
 
Bob_Spidell

Bob_Spidell

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
I think they'd only be required in non-stock engines; i.e one with headers, higher compression or intake/carburettor mods. I've run STD needles in my BJ8 for over 140K miles with no issues (and up to 25MPG in the right circumstances). This with mostly 10% ethanol gas, but some think the richer needles work better with 'gasahol.' I think you'd need a dyno session to determine if they offer your car any advantage.
 
tahoe healey

tahoe healey

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
It was recommended by a shop won't name to install the richer needles due to ethanol. I have found no change except a noticeable drop in fuel consumption. I will put the originals back next time I fiddle with the carbs.
 
OP
S

SteveHall64Healey

Jedi Trainee
Offline
I ran the rich needles all last year - about 1500 miles. Although my experience is not the same as a dyno session, my perception is that there was a bit more power, particularly in the upper rev range. Mileage was definitely worse and the plugs were quite obviously affected with carbon build-up. This year, I went back to standard needles and after 150 miles the plugs are a textbook greyish-tan colour with no buildup. The engine was rebuilt two years ago with a DWR8 cam from Dennis Welch and I thought it could tolerate more fuel.
 
John Turney

John Turney

Yoda
Silver
Country flag
Offline
I have a DWR8 cam and HD8 SU's and use the standard needles. The plugs are textbook color. I tried the richer needles because of the addition of 10% ethanol on the advice of a shop owner and didn't notice any improvement.
 
steveg

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
I have a 184 cu in, DWR 8 engine with HD8 DMD manifold, 1.6 rockers, forged pistons and Kirk headers - running dual O2 meters.

I ran the rich needles for a while and they showed better power at higher rpms, however it wasn't really noticeable and mileage was lower. Plugs were always pretty dark but no fouling on a newish engine.
 
steveg

steveg

Yoda
Gold
Country flag
Offline
tahoe healey said:
It was recommended by a shop won't name to install the richer needles due to ethanol. I have found no change except a noticeable drop in fuel consumption. I will put the originals back next time I fiddle with the carbs.
Click to expand...

TH - The needle recommendation's something of a surprise given the altitude you live at.
 
tahoe healey

tahoe healey

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
The shop knew where I live as he comes up here a lot. That was my question but he insisted it would help. As I have stated, I notice no change. It has always run well up here and if I am going to be down at sea level for any length of time I tweak the jets 1/8 of a turn.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
K TR2/3/3A When to use R [Rich] needles in my SU's? Triumph 14
Tim Tucker TR4/4A Stromberg 175CD (c.1825) rich above idle Triumph 12
GeorgeC Rich Chrysler's "Introduction to Austin-Healey Restoration" Austin Healey 3
S TR2/3/3A Running rich SUs. Triumph 25
Tim Tucker TR4/4A Rich Idle Triumph 14
F TR2/3/3A SUs Running Rich Triumph 25
TEM666666 Exhaust loud popping: Lean? Rich? Fuel? What else? Spridgets 25
R MGB-GT Just purchased Tuned for sea level, but I live at 7500', running rich MG 7
B T-Series 51 td runs rich MG 17
Steve1970 TR6 Carb air piston test, still results in stall even when adjusted rich Triumph 11
doc50 TR2/3/3A Running rich Triumph 9
cmacmillan TR6 question about running rich and pollution control Triumph 2
A Spitfire 78 spitfire running rich Triumph 5
B Strombergs Run Rich Triumph 12
Lin Progress Up-date from Rich Berman and Andrea Austin Healey 10
Randy Forbes RIP Rich Chrysler... Austin Healey 19
M Running rich Triumph 6
B Triple carb setup too rich? How to adjust? Austin Healey 3
J TR2/3/3A TR3A is running too rich Triumph 4
Lin Rear Hub Extension Nuts: Attention Rich Berman Austin Healey 23
M Too rich -- too lean Triumph 14
J TR2/3/3A TR3 Too Rich- What direction do I turn the nut? Triumph 3
7 Still running to rich Triumph 1
MGB922 Rich Carb MG 20
F Running rich Austin Healey 8
T Wedge Rich - did you finish up your TR8 engine build? Triumph 1
floyd carbs too rich Triumph 18
skinsgamer Running Rich in California Spridgets 23
JPSmit She's running - but rich Spridgets 18
T Triumph Runs Rich Triumph 20
H TR6 HS6 RUNNING TOO RICH ON TR6 Triumph 11
A Spitfire Spitfire Running Rich Triumph 7
Dudly Running Rich Triumph 18
Brosky Lean at idle, rich at WOT Triumph 23
H Zenith Stromberg CD 175 Too rich Triumph 7
glemon Carbs Running Rich Austin Healey 30
Luke_Healey How to adjust rich SUs Spridgets 7
B running rich dgav Spridgets 1
RedTR3 TR2/3/3A TR3 Front Carb Running Rich Triumph 13
BigBird Idling too rich... MG 5
startech47 Running rich Spridgets 4
S TR2/3/3A TR3 Smoking Rich? Triumph 6
sparkydave Rich running Spridgets 22
J I am Way Too Rich!!! Spridgets 12
AltaKnight Rich carbs Triumph 3
B Midget that runs too rich Spridgets 6
C 3 lean 3 rich? Triumph 11
C too rich ZS Triumph 8
K TR2/3/3A Unmarked SU jet needles? Triumph 3
B s u h4 needles British Motor Corp 5

Similar threads

Top