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Weber Vs. SU, w/ reliability in mind

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100DashSix

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I have HIFs on the car now, but they need a rebuild; if I end up going this route, I'd need to send/drop them off somewhere to have the throttle bushing properly done, or perhaps the entire set of carbs rebuilt as opposed to doing the rest of it myself. This sounds pretty expensive..

Back when I first got the B, the owner up at Northeastern Classics in PA said I should look into putting a Weber downdraft (DGV, presumably) onto the car. Supposedly it's more reliable, doesn't require as much tinkering, and is reasonably powerful for the car. (As it is, I'm pretty sure any attention to the tired, original carburetors will result in better running.)

I've read many opinions in the BCF archives about this topic, but perhaps there are some more.
 
"doesn't require as much tinkering" - Let's see, the last time I adjusted or even touched the SU carbs in our MGB was somewhere around two and a half years ago and it's been 5 or 6 years ago that I had to touch the SU carbs in our TD. Boy, they really require constant tinkering and are totally unreliable /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif By the way, the TD and MGB are the only cars we own and are driven on a daily basis.
Cheers,
 
I would have the HIF's rebuilt. Cost should be close or cheaper than the price of a new Weber. To get the same performance of the HIF's you would have to go with the 38 outlaw which I have on my car and it works fantastic but may be to much carb for a stock engine. The 32/36 is the more common conversion with the Weber carbs and you will see a decrease in performance but will see an increase in gas mileage.
 
Me thinks North Eastern Classics got stuck with a bunch of Webber DGV conversion kits purchased under the miconception that they were more reliable and required less tinkering than the SU's. Consequently, they were trying to palm them off on each new customer that came along.---Fwiw--Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
Rebuild the SU's and go for 100K miles. They're as reliable as house bricks! If adjusted correctly the first time, they require VERY little attention. Cost would be equivalent, performance would not: downdraught Weber would be a power killer. A DCOE conversion would be a waste of money unless the engine were built to use it. Go with the SU's.
 
The cost of a Weber outfit will cost you at least 500 bucks. And' it aint original! You can have Hap Waldrop rebuild the SUs, which ARE original, for about 360 bucks. They will look and work like new carbs. They lasted around 30 years the first time, right? Think you'll have the car over 30 years? PJ
 
A pair of SUs and make it sing.
 
stay with the SU's.

send them to Joe Curto or Hap and you will love them again /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

have them install the solid throttle disc and convert the HIFs to fixed needles, and you will have no problems for many years.

I had a new Weber DGV setup on my 78 when I rebuilt it and was never happy with the looks or performance, so I went with a HIF4 conversion and have not looked back. Have not had to touch them in over 2 years.

Paul
 
Am I detecting a pattern here?!? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
Yea, we're SU lovers.
 
Mine are still adjusted fine, even after sitting in a barn for almost a decade.

Twin SUs are prettier IMO. They make Charlotte look more, ahem, "feminine." /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Quite a number of years ago, when we bought a 58 MGZB Magnette, the owner told me that his "super mechanic" couldn't get any performance out of those "lousy SU" so he installed a Weber downdraft. We bought the Magnette anyway and when we got it home, we found the "lousy SUs" and original manifold and air cleaner in the trunk. I pulled the SUs down and inspected them and found that the throttle shafts were worn. A new set of throttle shafts and a few hours of work had the SU looking great. After they were installed and adjusted properly, they also performed great, whereas the Weber had pretty pedestrian performance. I have long maintained that the "super mechanic" really saw the previous owner coming. Oh yes, one very good thing about the Weber is that it sold instantly at the next ABFM for a very respectable price. Yeh Doc, you do detect a pattern here, I even have a lapel pin that is the SU logo.
Cheers,
 
Thanks for all the replies! I appreciate the advice.

What does everyone think of experiences like this? https://www.mgexperience.net...

I've also seen a few owners now that'll put the Weber on their daily driver MGs, preferring it over the SUs with that purpose in mind.. The owner at https://www.caroholic.com/ for example.

Heh, and the Northeastern Classics owner I don't _think_ was trying to weasel me into buying a Weber from him...He knew I wasn't from the area, and specifically said I should consider it for the future. He recommended it after I told him I valued the driveability and economy of the car over the best performance I could get out of it.
 
Paul admitted that he didn't know different size needles were available for his carb, so its obviously not set up correctly. He has a modified engine with stock carbs and drives like Mario Andretti. Go for the SUs and you'll never look back!
 
As I have said before, I got 49 MPG from Atlanta to Iowa City in my Bugeye with SUs makeing it sing in 1979. Now if that isn't economy I have no idea what is.
 
SU's are really the best suited for all-around MG engine induction. Reliable, simple and efficient.


That said, here's another shot of Herself's engine bay...


264372-eng_1.jpg


Engine is cammed, head CC'd, all balanced, 9.5:1 comp. It can USE 400CFM and accelerator PUMPS. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
ok... now you're just showin' off... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

seriously though, that B is comin' together to be something to behold. I'm already green... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
Lovely.
 
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