22-09-2020, 08:07 AM
As promised. the Yorkshire Spannermen arrived yesterday, fully armed with parts and weaponry. A test-drive drew the conclusion that there might be something we could do....
After testing ignition(fine) compression(fine) the manifold c/w Solex carb was removed and preparations to fit a side-draught Zenith began. Of course it's never as simple as that.... the downdraught manifold had a vacuum fitting which, naturally, was oversize and completely stymied any attempt to remove the central nut. Much cursing and general fannying about then showed the manifold studs were 5/16" rather than 1/4" and the replacement manifold needed drilling to suit. You can guess the rest and then I had to rush off to an appointment with a hypodermic and 'flu shot.
On my return the throttle linkage was now misaligned, bending it actually broke it, repair required, swear, swear, where are the right Allen keys, more swear, eventually it's all fitted, lined up and running. So, off for a second test drive and with much attempted buckling of the floor below the gas pedal the magnificent 51mph was achieved!
We all agreed that the only conclusion we could make was that he Solex ran rich, the Zenith gave a squirt more and the Cherry bomb exhaust needs a longer tail pipe with some restriction to give a bit of back-pressure to help the engine breathe correctly....
I'll be down to the local garage later to look through their skip for suitable test lengths of pipe! Watch this space (or not as the fancy takes you!)
Many thanks to Malcolm and Steve who gave up the best part of a day to help get to the bottom of the problem.
After testing ignition(fine) compression(fine) the manifold c/w Solex carb was removed and preparations to fit a side-draught Zenith began. Of course it's never as simple as that.... the downdraught manifold had a vacuum fitting which, naturally, was oversize and completely stymied any attempt to remove the central nut. Much cursing and general fannying about then showed the manifold studs were 5/16" rather than 1/4" and the replacement manifold needed drilling to suit. You can guess the rest and then I had to rush off to an appointment with a hypodermic and 'flu shot.
On my return the throttle linkage was now misaligned, bending it actually broke it, repair required, swear, swear, where are the right Allen keys, more swear, eventually it's all fitted, lined up and running. So, off for a second test drive and with much attempted buckling of the floor below the gas pedal the magnificent 51mph was achieved!
We all agreed that the only conclusion we could make was that he Solex ran rich, the Zenith gave a squirt more and the Cherry bomb exhaust needs a longer tail pipe with some restriction to give a bit of back-pressure to help the engine breathe correctly....
I'll be down to the local garage later to look through their skip for suitable test lengths of pipe! Watch this space (or not as the fancy takes you!)
Many thanks to Malcolm and Steve who gave up the best part of a day to help get to the bottom of the problem.