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Reply to "Chesil Speedster - my planned winter overhaul of '98 build"

Anyway, back to my Speedster. I had the carbs tuned at a local specialist who put it on a rolling road. Without pushing the motor too hard (he's too much of a gent, and also wouldn't want the expense of a blown engine on his conscience!) he said the engine was making an easy 90+hp and he said the main problem was the timing was well out of kilter, plus fuel/air mix, and both main and idle jets being too small. I've just ordered a new timing light with adjustable advance (my current old one has no advance facility)

So jets were changed and I picked it up yesterday for a test drive home. The bogging down at steady throttle is still there but instead of at 3000rpm it's now at 4200rpm. So I've just ordered some larger 55 idle jets (currently they're 48) on his advice. That should cure the stuttering/bogging down at steady throttle, which is something he couldn't really replicate on the rolling road. As you guys always say - it's ALL about the idle jets!

The car now goes like a rocket to 80mph - don't forget my tyres are 195/55x15 which give a rolling diameter of 73.7", so combined with an AH gearbox gives only 60mph at 3000rpm. However, at 80mph I am seriously dicing with death - the light front end, 50yr old steering box (albeit adjusted as good as it can get) plus, I'm guessing, the need for more steering caster means it got a little floaty on an English country lane, lined with trees either side. Squeeky bum time..

I'll get the new jets in, check everything is running smoothly then may well revisit the caster shims - looks like I will have to drill some holes in the bottom of the frunk to access the bolts after all. Of course, I could always do what my brother did with his Beetle back in the 80s - stick a 40lb concrete block in the frunk forward of the front axle line..

I also received a nice compliment - the carb specialist, who gets all sorts of classic cars to work on (he had an Aston and couple of Ferraris there the other day), said he really liked my car and that it looked well sorted. Praise indeed, coming from someone like him! :-)

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