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dashpot oil

Last post 07-09-2008, 2:17 PM by scottys4. 5 replies.
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  •  07-08-2008, 5:21 PM 15172

    dashpot oil

    What is the proper fill point? I did not understand these instructions. - Fill to within 1/4 inch of the top of the hollow air piston rod. I am not familiar with the carb terminology.

     SCOTTYS4 

       

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  •  07-08-2008, 6:49 PM 15177 in reply to 15172

    Re: dashpot oil

    Yes, I agree. The directions are confusing. Just fill it to the point where it is 1/4" above the PLUNGER at the bottom of the rod.

    If you put too much in, it will inhibit performance, not enough, and your engine speed will not ramp down smoothly when taking your foot off the gas pedal.

    When all else fails, trial and error works. You can't hurt anything here, and you may even get the chance to enjoy sucking some out with an eye-dropper (a ton of fun for the kiddies)! - - Not that I ever had to do that of course......


    On their death bed, nobody ever said, "Gee I wish I'd spent more time at work!"
  •  07-09-2008, 9:14 AM 15185 in reply to 15177

    Re: dashpot oil

    The fill level is not all that critical. If you overfill it, it'll just suck out the extra and burn it. It just has to have enough to inhibit the upward travel of the air piston. To see what they're talking about in the instructions, remove the air cleaner and the piston damper plunger rod. (unscrew the plastic or brass bit at the top and withdraw the plunger) Now, look down into the place where you just removed the plunger and stick your finger into the carburetter's mouth. push the air piston (the cylindrical thing blocking the way into the manifold) up. What you see moving upward is the hollow rod which should be filled to within 1/4 inch of its top.

    A quick check of the level can be performed without looking at anything. Just unscrew the damper rod and lift it about 1/2 of an inch. Now, with it nice and straight, push it back down. If you feel resistance you have enough oil for it to be functioning correctly. Resisting the upward movement of the air piston is, after all, the job of the damper piston along with the oil. We're just pushing one thing down instead of pushing the other thing up. Feeling resistance before the thing is even seated shows you have some reserve. SUs are great carburetters. They tend to be just a bit under-understood. Should I do a whole thread about the operating principles and how to live with them?


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon
  •  07-09-2008, 11:19 AM 15187 in reply to 15185

    Re: dashpot oil

    As ever, motorbill, you explain things beautifully.

    There is a good description of the SU design and its principle of operation here

    http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/fuelframe.htm

    if that link doesn't find it's mark, go to http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/ then on the sidebar, find the "spanners" menu and click on "fuel"

    The rest of Paul's website is equally well written.

     Cheers,

    Ed


    I want my MGB
  •  07-09-2008, 1:12 PM 15193 in reply to 15187

    Re: dashpot oil

    Ed,

    I just checked out the site you mentioned. Whew! That saves me a whole lot of writing! Should someone care to understand the principles by which an SU carburetter works, they should read it thoroughly and with concentrated patience. If further questions arise, I'd be glad to respond.

    Thanks for the reference.

    Bill


    Motorbill
    From Lola to Land Rover, If it's British and has wheels, it's likely I've bloodied me knuckles thereupon
  •  07-09-2008, 2:17 PM 15199 in reply to 15177

    Re: dashpot oil

    This is much better, thanks.

    scottys4