Dylan's 544 #3: Setting those SU Carbs! 

Dylan, Excellent video and nicely done. One comment. You may want to mention that when synchronizing the carburetors to get the same flow through each one, you should ensure the throttle shafts are not connected together. The throttle shafts should operate independently for this adjustment and then get locked to each other again when competed.....Tony

I’ve watched lots of videos on tuning and balancing SU carbs. This is the best by far. Really easy to understand and also being told WHY something happens when you turn a screw or something. Well done!!❤😊

This is one of the best videos I have seen on any automotive maintenance or repair, and I've seen a lot of 'em. I have a 1963 544 that I am trying to do this exact thing to. Thank you for being thorough, I can't tell you how helpful this video is.

So many videos so much confusion , well until I got here . Thanks so much for taking the time to do this , it's much appreciated.

Thanks so much for the video. I am considering switching from a zenith stromberg 150 carb to twin SU H4s. Your video was very help. Are you a Professor? If you are not, you should be. You were clear, easy to understand, logical, and explained everything completely. I have watched many RU-vid instructional videos and your video is clearly one of the best. Before I watched your video, I knew nothing about SU carbs. Now that I watched your video, I feel confident that I could tune them. You helped make my decision easier. I appreciate your time and effort!

Thank you for posting this video. I have been tinkering with my SU's for a little while and this really helped me better understand how they work.

Excellent video. The best ever on these simple but tricky little English (backwards-Whitworth- carbon-clutch-bearing-lever-shocks) carbs. You can probably tell I'm not a big fan of the way the Brits made their cars, but your video is a 10.

Great Video. I've been playing with these on my Z's for the last 30 years. The screw in piston damper used in the Hitachi SU clones have two grooves cut in the shaft just above the brass piston. The grooves are low and high marks for the damper oil and can be used just like a dipstick to get the oil level correct. If you have too much oil, you can wipe off the damper and re-insert it a couple of times to get the oil level correct. I haven't looked at a European SU's to verify that the same grooves are there.

Great video with a super clear and helpful explanation of the cleaning and tuning process. Now I'm excited to try this on my MG!

Hey Dylan, I know we've talked a little on the Volvo Amazon group on FB, but I just wanted to say thanks a lot for posting this video. I was a bit scared of tinkering with carbs as I had never done such a thing before but you explained things quite clearly and it was really easy for a novice like me to get my engine ticking over nicely. Thanks a lot man!

Thank you Dylan , we need guys like you , outstanding tuition and not bullshit. Straight to the point.thank you again

I love you man, i am restoring a datsun 260z and you help me a lot with this video. the carbs were running very rich. thanks a lot!

Thank you so much for this video. I found it extremely helpful and my 544 is running better than ever!

Hey Dylan! You and I are neighbors :D Just watched this and you pretty much demystified SU carb adjustments. Thank you much!

Working on a TR6 fitted with SUs tomorrow and really looking forward to it now. Great vid man.

Great video. I'm new to su carbs and I'm about to reassemble mine for a '61 triumph tr3. These tips will help tremendously

Awesome video! As a new owner of an MG Midget, this video will help as I thinker my through the needed adjustments. Thanks!!

GREAT video!!! Thanks for taking the time and effort to explain so clearly. Can't wait to try it with my '66 Spitfire!

I have a 59 TR3, I've had to fight it EVERY time I wanted to drive it, probably used 8 or 9 cans of ether to get it running, over the last 10 years. Today I followed your instructions and it started right up, ran strong, - one happy car.

Thank you for posting this Dylan. Big help to a new TR6 owner!

Excellent video. I have SUs on a 62 TR3B that need this treatment. Very informative. Thanks, Man!

Dylan, thanks for a super video. This really helped in removing the mystery out of cleaning and adjusting carbs! Fantastic Job! Please upload more videos. Cheers!

Hey thanks for the great videos, also wanted to note, I used the procedure on an '57 mga (for people searching for mg), so this technique works for basically any SU carburetor equipped car. same goes for the valve adjustment video, thx again

Great Video and very informative I'm new to SU carbs and my 71 240z is going to be happy that I know how to tune it. Thanks for the Vid

I love this video, you are an excellent teacher! I have a 1971 MG Midget SU carbs......thanks, Gary

This was a very useful video to translate all the reference material (in writing/books) to how to actually accomplish the adjustments. THANKS !!!

Did this tonight - REALLY appreciate your work!!!!

Thanks for this. Followed this tutorial to the letter, having just fitted a reconditioned HS4 on my Austin. Worked a treat! :)

Brilliant sir, this is perfectly straightforward regular guy talk.

Great video. Very informative. I feel comfortable tackling my SU carbs now!

Replacing the single ZS on my Spitfire with dual HS4s. Very helpful video, thank you.

Thank you Dylan!!! My spitfire loves you !!! Greeting from austria (Europe)

Super useful tutorial, Dylan! I had no idea so much power was hiding in the L24 of my 240z, all thanks to your video! Thanks!

DYLAN MY FIRST CAR WAS A 60 544 NOW I HAVE A 68 122 WAGON GUESS I GOT THE BUG FROM MY FATHER WEVE HAD AT LEAST 15 - 20 122S AND 544S I HAVE A SHOP FULL OF VOLVO PARTS LOVE THE IPD SHIRT THE WAGON HAS A WEBER PROGRESSIVE ON IT NOW BUT I CLEANED A SET OF STROMBERGS UP AND INTEND TO MOUNT THEM REALLLY SOON REALLY ENJOYED VIDEO THANKS LEARNED A FEW THINGS I DIDNT KNOW

Excellent video. I just bought a 1964 544 and was worried about setting the carbs. Thanks

I have duel HIF-SU's on my '73 MGB and I use 20/50 oil in the dash pots, which works just fine.

I brought back to life my Datsun. Thank you!

Best video for setting up the SU's. Thank you and hello from Germany :)

Excellent video... thanks for taking the time to do this. Very informative.

Dylan, a really useful and informative post. Many thanks. More videos please!!!

all I have to say is thank you! I just purchased a 260z and needed this info as this is my first carb'd car.

Awesome helpful video, thanks man! so much better than reading through the manual getting nowhere.

Thanks for the video it was really helpful, my bowls were full of gunk and lines were clogged. Gave them a real good cleaning, After I installed them back on the car was idling extremely high as if someone were stepping on the gas. and when I would push on gas pedal it was kind of sputter. I noticed some smoking from the exhaust manifold. Any idea why it would be idling that high?

I used 2 things to balance my duel carbs. First a vacuum meter to ballpark things and then a rubber tube to listen to the hiss to fine tune. To test your mixture setting drive 55-60 for a flat mile, kill the engine, pull a plug and see that it's light tan. Where did I learn this? Gene Berg

Excellent video and great presentation. Love the tips too. Keep making more videos. All the best 😀

Just one addition here. Instead of ATF, you should use S.A.E. 20 oil for piston damping. Manufacturer says so.

Dylan, good video but maybe I can set straight a couple of myths. Firstly, the pistons are not damped to prevent "flutter." They don't flutter. Check out a slide type carb on an old BMW or Italian bike. No oil and damper, and no flutter. Secondly, do not run ATF or anything but 20W fork or SAE 20W-50 oil. That oil and damper tamps down the piston upon acceleration and enrichens the mixture. Put in lighter oil and you're running lean on acceleration. Please keep up the great work.

Great video, well done. If you think working on 2 SUs is fun, just think what you can do with 3 HD8s SUs like I have on my XKE. Thanks for the tips & suggestions. I run 20wt engine oil in my carbs.

Thanks for the tips, i live in Brazil and here we had in the 70' the Dodge Polara and it uses a SU carb, i will buy one, now i will know how to adjust the carburator thanks

Great video, i have been terrified of messing with the twin SU's on my rover V8. Im now confident that i can at least take them apart and clean them to see if that helps performance. I have a sticking float on one of them and it over flows could you perhaps do a video of to fix that? Many Thanks

Great step by step instructions with examples. Thanks for making the video.

Thanks for the video, have always had some else do my carbs, but no more.

Good video I have a 1980 mgb le with su carbs can’t wait to tune them.

Great video. Followed these steps for my hs2 carb. Sweet as a nut now. Thank you.

Thank you for this excellent video. Just the one I need to tune my SU's!

i use one of those magnetic dishes to keep the parts in it holds those tiny screwws in perfect even if you happen to knock it of the fender as for filling the accelleration bit with the oil , there these oilcans pump thingies used to oil steamengines and other mecanical stuff , they pump luttle squirts and the perfect for filling these up

Hey Dylan, great video. My carbs running very rich, before I can tune, as per your video, my chokes appear both to be stuck. I see the linage, cables, etc. but, looking for advice to free them up. Any advice would be great.

ATF is too thin for the dashpot oil. It will rev quicker in neutral but in gear under load it will cause a leaner mixture right when you want it richer for more power. Using it will lean the intended mixture during acceleration under load because it will reduce the lag time of the piston rising. The piston will then rise faster which will reduce the amount of vacuum acting on drawing the fuel up the jet. I'm not recommending SU's oil, but I'd suggest using something with the same viscosity. Leanness under acceleration load is usually not a wise practice for engine longevity, let alone best acceleration.

Thanks for the great video. I'm ready to tackle my 1800S now...

Very clear demonstration all the way through! Thanks!

Will use all your tips and tricks on a TR7! Thanks!

Hi, thanks for vid, very helpful. I am about to check my Triple Su's on 66 MKx Jag, will it be the same process?

Great video, many thanks. SUs explained in a practical and easy to understand way :-)

Dylan, Great video maybe you could help me. For some reason my car conked out the other day and now it won't start and I suspect it's fuel ( su carbs) related. I have fuel in the float chambers but not sure if I am getting any in the carb itself, with the air filter removed should I be able to see petrol mist when trying to start? Any help would be good

Like it , so next step for me as a Swede in Portugal is to tune in my Carburetors on my P1800 ! But.. it the feathers important so i need to change ?

Hi Dylan, i have a reliant robin trike and i have turned up the mixture adjustment as far as it will go on my su carb but its still running rich. Pls advise

Do you think you can show a video how to replace and install a starter? I juat bought a rebuilt ine from your ipd website and i camt take off the lower bolts since the slave cylimder is in the way

Thanks Dylan.. nice video but big question.. should i first disconnect the linkage between the two carbs on my TR3 before i adjust the idle screw? (also pls wear gloves for your safety).

veeg good video I bought an Suzuki SJ413 today with a horrendous flat spot and was absolutely stumped on how to adjust it. I can't wait to crack on with the adjustments tommorow after watching this thanks for such a good video!! If you have any more good tips on how to set the idle on a single carbed vehicle please share!!!

Twin SU's demystified - can it be possible? Excellent video - no BS - just sound tips.

Hello i have a question i have motorcycle with hif38 carb on custom manifold. Mine question is about the vacuum advance port should i block it or keep it unblocked? there is nowhere for it to connect and it vacuums to air.

Really interesseting to view your videos. My P1800S is going to love this treatment :)

Dylan .. good video . No nonsens ✌️Greetings from a Volvo amazon & PV ovener in Sweden . 🇸🇪

This was incredibly helpful. Thank you so much.

Great video simple explanation, thanks for helping us out.

Hello Dylon, i have a question, if s u stands for skinners union, what does DAF stand for, thank you in advance

Many thanks, clear and concise. I just need to get the gauge so I can do the twin SU's on my Bond Equipe . Thanks (Ady UK )

Hi, 240z here, will try this monday, looks straight forward enough. i'll let you know

Great Video! I am having a problem with my MGB - black smoke backfire - I will check the mix and comment back - thanks for the video

Thank you so much lol. No one will work on my SU’s so now I feel a lot better about tackling them myself. How do I know if I need a full rebuild, or just a clean and adjustment ?

Fantastic video! Going to be working on this as soon as I get new dashpot springs. I have these on a 1967 Rolls Royce. There is no easy way to get at the intake of the carburetor without removing the whole intake and choke. Is there another way you'd recommend setting fuel air mix? My black exhaust tells me I need to work on it a touch. Thanks!

Superb video, honestly , thanks. My TR7 loves you

Why does my car start with carburetors intake covered just with a tiny hole to let air in if the intakes r open it stopsI'm

Thank you, this was excellent information!

It sounds a little slappy on the valves. I used 5 weight oil in my carbs. Valves were 25 thousands cold- 26 hot. Idle @700. These engines always use solid lifters and were a bit noisy. Good video

Very good walk through. Thanks!

Historically after letting car sit way too long, 10yrs plus, we got it running again, and painted up, the carb would start running rough(rich) and I would lean it via the nut underneath the card. main complaint now is it idles real high(tach doesn't wk, not sure if that caused by using pertronix ignition but seems like I had tach after putting in petronix) and 2nd complaint, the car won't to diesal or keep running sometimes when I turn it off. Time to no doubt to follow your intructions or at least tighten adjusting nuts a bit. I rebuilt carbs b4 it sat so long, that another option

Very clear instructions. Perfect video editing. I have a volvo 122 with the same carbs. My wife was following me and she said that the car smelled a lot of exhaust. Do you think the car is running rich or to lean?

Hi Dylan, Nice video!! One question here. When you were synchronizing the carbs so the air through each carb would be the same, I didn't note that you disconnected the carburetors from each other. What I mean is, why didn't you have to loosen the connecting clamp that ties the two throttle shafts together? On my car, they mention loosening that clamp that holds the shafts tied together and then make the synchronization adjustment. After your all synchronized, you tighten up the shaft clamps again. Does this make sense?

Hi Dylan, I am looking for help in tuning rover v8 carburetors. A tutorial similar to this ones would be great but for the rover engine v8.

A great video! One question: At 20:45 I thought you could only do that (syncro both carbs with te speedscrews ) with the clamping bolds, on the shaft that connects both butterflies, LOOSE! Yours are still connected..you pull the central lever up and BOTH carbs react; can’t syncro like that??? Or am I missing something??? Ok, idle is set, then, right. But when you add gass, then they are NOT syncronised.

Great detailed vid! Wish you could teach everything I want to learn =)

Nice job with the video! Very helpful

I have a 1960 tr3a with suh6 carbs. I liked this video very much. Looking for the tool you used to adjust the air flow. can't find one anywhere. do you have any suggestions?

I have 64 Daimler 250 V8. I stripped carbs, cleaned and 're-built' (a.k.a put them back to gether!). I have done no tuning and will have a go now based on this vid. However, one question - what are 'flats' when you say loosen off '12 flats'? Thanks a mil

great video... thanks for posting!

Do you know the other ways of centering the jet?

This makes so much sense. Awesome

I have a 1971 Datsun 240Z and I am working on the SU carbs. I use to have this down pat, but it's been w while, and the car has sat for some time now. I have taken them completely apart, and cleaned every thing, but I am having a few issues. 1. For some reason both chocks work ok when out, but sticking when installed.2. The jet in the rear sticks a bit when all most closed, 3. For some reason the carbs are being difficult to ballance, what do you suggest as a Base Line Setting for the Throttle Adjusting screws? If you balance the carbs with the Throttle adj. screws, what is the Balance screw for?

Thank's Dylan, from 18:30 very interesting, Ihave now an excuse to check again my TR4A... :-)