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what's that clunk?

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rightlane

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Hello all, I purchased a 63' sprite a couple of weeks ago and am having a ball driving it. I've noticed a clunk when i take my foot of the accelerator, sounds like suspension, was hoping to get some help narrowing it down as i don't have easy access to a lift. I also have some concerns with the carb not being set up correctly i.e. hoses plugged with bolts and hose clamps. I would much appreciate any engine bay pics with close ups of the carbs. Thanks for your help. Chris
 
Could be a lot of things. Think I would get under it and check all the bolts on the rear end first. Second I would check engine mounts.
 
For photos of the engine bay you can check out the member's photos section. Also spritespot.com has some pretty good pictures.

Brian
 
Welcome.
Clunk: universal joint, loose damper (shock mount) many other possible loose things I guess.
Carb:
Not many hoses on a '63. Still have twin SU carbs or a Weber?
Post a picture will help.
Heres mine. One hose from rocker cover to air filter hosing. One from front carb to distributer (usually routed around behind the head, not in front like mine.)
fuelbreather.JPG
 
I'm betting on the rear U joint being bad. It's cheap and easy to just replace both then continue troubleshooting if the noise is still present.
 
I had a clunk going over bumps, someone said to snug up the damper bolts and it was gone!!! It was driving me nuts too. Love it when it's easy like that.
 
Welcome BTW! You found a great resource here.

You might want to post a couple pictures of your carbs as they sit today here for the guys to look over.
 
Yup, pix will help sort it. As others have said, U-joints and flange bolts as first "culprits". Shock mounting bolts on the rear, too.

If the car shifts direction when you accelerate/decelerate, the spring shackle bolts need tightening.

And welcome to the finest source of support and info for the car you'll find onna innernet! :savewave:
 
Oh NO !!! You've got a "clunker" !!!! Get yew sum clunker bomb and run fer cover !!!!

(WELCOME !!!) ((DON'T use clunker bomb.))
 
wow! i never imagined so many replies. looks like i found the right resource. i still have the su carbs, i have a ton of pics to post, is there a thread on posting how tos? thanks, Chris
 
rightlane said:
wow! i never imagined so many replies. looks like i found the right resource. i still have the su carbs, i have a ton of pics to post, is there a thread on posting how tos? thanks, Chris
Click to expand...

No thread - you go to the bottom of a post (either if it is a new post or you hit reply or you use the quote funtion - but not if you just start typing in the space)

Underneath is file manager - click - follow instructions - pics can not exceed 100kb and unless you are a paying member, you can only post one picture per.

Oh, and welcome!
 
rightlane said:
wow! i never imagined so many replies. looks like i found the right resource. i still have the su carbs, i have a ton of pics to post, is there a thread on posting how tos? thanks, Chris
Click to expand...

We've even been known to diagnose/fix problems in "real time". Or as near to it as possible with a PC at each end of the issue. This place is ~active~.

The: "Help Using this Forum" er, forum, has the photo posting explained.>>> Here.
 
Maybe he has later carbs with all that emissions junk on it that a PO "fixed".
 
jvandyke said:
Maybe he has later carbs with all that emissions junk on it that a PO "fixed".
Click to expand...

:iagree: As soon as I noticed the "hoses plugged/blocked with bolts" etc. that was my thought too!!
 
Yeah, who knows. Forty-plus years is a long enuff time for things to get shuffl'd around. We've been amazed more'n once over some of the things PO's have done.
 
Don't forget, we all are POs too.
 
Ditto to the reply asking about wire wheels. If you do have them, jack up rear of car and really nail the spin offs with a deadblow hammer. Sure worked for me.

dave in University, MO

60 BE
68 BSA Victor
05 Vespa ET4
04 Mini Cooper S
 
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