>Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2003 13:28:00 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time)
>From: theodore anderson <wa2mgb@optonline.net>
>Subject: HIF vs Zenith Carbs
>
>Hi:
>I recently became the proud owner of a 78 MGB. My mechanic informed me
>that the original carb was a Zenith Stromberg and that alterations had been
> performed so that the configuration is a pair of SU HIF carbs.
>
>Dumb questions:
>1. Is this change a good thing?
>2. Are these single barrell carbs?
>3. Why would two carbs be desirable on a 1800cc engine?
>
>By the way, the whole car runs great. Amazing what you can buy off eBay.
>
>Ted
The first B I had was equipped with HIF's. I grew to love them. Never
having had a car with ZS carbies, I can't really grade between them, but it
has always seemed to me that the MG engines were made to be fed by
Skinner's carbs.
SU's in general are misunderstood and highly tuneable, with the HS series
being more so than the HIF's. When in good shape, the HIF's are, IMO, great
carbs, and an improvement over the HS, at least for mid- to northern US
consumption. For one thing, you don't have to retune between winter and
summer. The variable choke mechanism does work when the system is in good
shape. And I think they are easier to tune, all things considered, than the
HS series, partly because they have a somewhat narrower tuning band than
the HS. Some people get carried away with carb tuning and the HS will give
you enough rope to hang yourself and wind up hating them. That could be why
I hate Solex carbs to this day, but I don't think so. I think they were
just garbage and no one can convince me otherwise.
If the car is set up with HIF's and you can get through your state's
emissions tests with them, if needed, then feel thankful and remember; if
there's something wrong with your engine, it's probably points or timing.
I wonder if it isn't time for a repost of Roger Garnett's guide to tuning
HS carbs.
Glenn
_________________________________
Glenn Schnittke
Vice-President
Tennessee Spokes Sports Car Club
schnittke@mindspring.com
Safety Fast!
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