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This spacer was used on all models of the Hunter range using either single or dual Stromberg carbs except for a Hunter GT and cars built for the USA market. It's not for a series 5 Alpine.Interesting NOS find but diameter and hole distance doesn't quite fit the Zenith's. Would assume they are for a SV or later since they match the Stromberg/Manifold pattern :
View attachment 18764
I have series 5 carb set ups that have a similar gasket but it's considerably thinner than the above gasket you're showing.Michael : That manifold came from a S3 but will use it on my HLM...
65beam : Thought so. Thanks for clarifying. See no reason why they shouldn't fit a SV. Perhaps a worthwhile addition since they suffer even more badly from excessive heat...
Thanks Bernd! A month ago my understanding of Zeniths was zero but thanks to you I had a closer look and now perhaps I have a better idea of how they work. Now that I've read up the Zenith operating and tuning guides that were gathering dust I appreciate how good they are. And they must have been very good to win the Index of thermal efficiency at Le Mans, a crown that Porsche and other well known marques wanted very much that year. I've read it was the 2nd most prestigious prize after an outright win in those days. So hats off to Zenith carbs!Wow, sounds like you made it. Hot water disconnect will bring you to another level. Your HA will fly...
Bring it to the Spares Day please ! Want to join you for a ride ;-)
Many people don't believe in their potential and put Weber's instead. Easy, but not the same. The Zeniths - properly set-up were much better than most people would believe. There are some more potential improvements which we can discuss on the Spares Day...
I am in the process of moving I have in my archive a Hartwell catalogue for Alpines 1971-2 vintage. I owned a S II at the time when I dig it out I will post itI look forward to spares day very much. I always get there too late to chat with you and the other 'movers and shakers' Maybe we should meet for a good meal and beers the night before to talk Alpines and Harringtons?
I heard that Hartwell offered a special Alpine Inlet manifold ( not as part of the Harrington tune tho') but in 10 years searching the darkest recesses of the Hartwell/Imp/autojumble world I have never even seen a pic or advert so I doubt its practical existence. Brabham offered one but it was just a standard Alpine one with crude and ineffective cooling fins.
I'm a factory original sort of chap but an easy to make heat dissipating plate between the exhaust and inlet manifold must surely add some BHP for a daily driver?
I have recently bought at some expense a 1960s pair of Italian sand cast Weber carbs. These are not especially rare but most are beyond returning to NOS due to corrosion but this pair are very good. I now doubt my 'investment'. I imagine Webers will perform better at full revs (racing conditions) with demanding cams and flows, but the Zeniths will give better all round performance as intended. I wonder if Webers still ride on the 60s/70s home custom kudos of stock carbs are good but Webers must always be better. In my day and even now Webers are THE carbs to have for classics. I hear they can be hard to set up unless by a Weber specialist with lots of costly rolling road work and then need constant balancing? Perhaps this is also a myth. I am open minded.
Yes, For 15 years. It is just completing an 18month rebuild at Central TVR in Derby. The best bit is the 5.2ltr upgrade to the Rover V8. 350bhp + 360lbft torque in a 1000kg car Everything else is factory standard (as you would expect!) No roll bar, no ABS, No traction control, no power steering or aircon. NO silencers No crumple zones. We die together.Wow, sounds like you made it. Hot water disconnect will bring you to another level. Your HA will fly...
Bring it to the Spares Day please ! Want to join you for a ride ;-)
Where can I find the 2 blanking plugs for the manifold and the one for the engine block? Any ideas or photos?
P.S. Didn't know that you have a Griffith....