SU Carburetor and Stromberg Carburetor Rebuilding Services
Island Automotion Ltd. is on the web at www.sucarburetors.com.
From Alvis to Volvo, Triumph to Jaguar, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and Healey, Island Automotion has complete and extensive experience with SU carburetors. Stock rebuilds, custom rebuilds, and specialty applications can all be entrusted to Island Automotion.
Experience here is not derived just from just carburetor work, but from forty years of working on nearly every aspect of vintage cars. Now I rebuild carburetors, returning them to the condition they were in when the cars were new. Achieving that is done through proper and complete mechanical restoration, and at Island Automotion that means using only SU original equipment replacement parts, and skillful and accurate machining. Your engine doesn’t care what the carburetor looks like – only that it meters fuel and air correctly. Appearance, although important, is secondary. The engine must run properly.
So if you require professional rebuilding of SU or Stromberg carburetors, you’ve come to the right place. You have my word on that.
Rhys Kent,
Owner, Island Automotion Ltd.
Jaguar E-type Triple SU HD8 Rebuilding Service
There were three Specification numbers applied to Jaguar E-type HD8 triple carburetor installations. These were the early 3.8 AUC 946, the later 3.8 AUD 112, and the 4.2 AUD 227. All used the UM needle, and were functionally identical, but used different components in a few areas.
Island Automotion has a great deal of experience with the E-type sets, and can supply invisible modifications to improve the long term durability of the HD8 carburetor.
Rebuilds include new float valves and main jets of the latest design, along with UM needles – if you have a preference for a different profile they can be substituted at no extra charge.
Satin nickel plating, like that used by Jaguar originally, is available for any and all steel and brass components. If desired new 1/8 inch thick carb to manifold gaskets can be provided, or six regular gaskets if you have phenolic spacers, along with three air filter adapter to carb gaskets. The carbs will be adjusted to run the engine well “out of the box”. Tuning instructions are included, and help is always available by email or phone.
Please contact me for costs regarding any level of restoration of E-type HD8 carburetor sets.
Services
new SU original equipment gaskets, seals, jets, and float valves
new throttle shafts and throttle plates
new original specification fuel needles for your application as needed
glass bead blasting of all components
accurate preliminary adjustments to allow easy installation and starting
tuning instructions written in an easy to follow format
repair of worn throttle shaft bores using modern Teflon coated bushings
Additional Services
gold cadmium plating of ferrous parts for extended corrosion protection
custom fuel needle selection for modified engines — simply tell us your modifications, and we will suggest and supply the appropriate fuel needle(s).
replacement SU slotted screws for that factory new appearance
polishing of dashpots (vacuum chambers)
Jaguar E-type 4.2 Series II Twin SU HD8 Conversion Kit
The late Series II engines used Stromberg CD175 carburetors to meet emission standards, with a consequent reduction in power. Regaining that power requires finding original and complete triple HD8 assemblies, or purchasing new production triple carbs, manifold, and linkage at a very high price. But there is an alternative at lower cost, and less work.
The Stromberg inner and outer manifolds are 2 inch bore – and accept the HD8 carbs. Early XJ6 4.2 cars were equipped with twin HD8 SU’s and performed very well. So I have developed a conversion kit to install HD8 twin carbs on the Stromberg manifold used on the E-type 4.2. The linkage hooks up like the Stromberg set, the fuel hose is run to a custom fabricated fuel manifold in nearly the same location, and a longer choke cable will be needed. I have found the fuel needle profile that works well. Custom air filters can be found, or the original duct adapted to the HD8 bolt pattern, as one customer did.
I have built three of these conversions so far, and this one, the fourth is the result of what I learned doing the first ones. Throttle response and power is amazing. One owner believes it superior to the triples.
Installation of this conversion is a matter of a few hours. It’s far easier than installing the triple set and manifold. It does require mechanical experience and skill of course. And the installation, done correctly, is fully reversible. From left to right the photos show the kit as completed, with gaskets, urethane fuel line, spring anchors, and instructions. Second are the satin nickel plated components, and the polished vacuum chambers. Third is the set adjusted on a spare manifold prior to being strapped together for easy installation.
Phone or write for further information on the kit.
