Engine tune-up

[Simonpfhc]

Hi all,

Now that I've got my FHC finished, I'm now going through the process of running in the engine. It runs pretty well but coughs and spits a bit at around 3000rpm on a light throttle. Full throttle seems great.

Anyway, what I need to do is find an expert on these engines ideally with a rolling road so that I can get it properly tuned.

Can anyone make any recommendations?

I'm quite happy to travel, but as close to Surrey as possible would be ideal.

Cheers.
Note to self.....must get all my pics out of Photof**kit!

[Gfhug]

Andrewh in Kent was also looking for a good rolling road, did he find one that would be close enough to you?

Geoff

[chrisvine]

Simon,

Winspeed are in Wood Street on the outskirts of Guildford. I can't recommmend them yet, as it's the first time I've used them and I'm waiting to pick my car up next week. They seem to be very knowledgeable on E-Type and XK engine, with many E-Types in for work, so they might be worth having a chat with.

They're addressing a slightly noisy top end, before tuning and MOTing. Once it's running well I'm also looking to get the EDIS ignition mapped on a rolling road so would be interested who you choose.

Chris

[ernie]

Just apoint. My 4.2 (Stage 2) was recently rebuilt. It was definately rougher in the 2.5k / 3.5k rev range until it had done over 1000 miles. After 1500 miles it has settled down. Also I tried several needles as found that the standard ones were leaning out at about 2.5k revs. Still not found the perfect one yet, but at least it is now pulling like a train to 4k.

[Simonpfhc]

Thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated.

Chris, your feedback from Winspeed would be welcomed as they are one of the outfits I had in mind, so please let me know how it goes.

Ernie, good point. I spent this morning adjusting the mixture and now running much better through the whole rev range :-) I think I will leave any tune-ups until well after a few more hundred miles.

I know there is an outfit in Kent called CCK who have a rolling road and get good reviews - be interested in hearing back from Andrew to see who he has found.........

Cheers.

[Nickleback]

I have used Andy at Classic & Race, Horley as he has a rolling road, is a specialist race tuner that knows etype's and he was recommended by my engine rebuilders CMES, Bracknel.
Did a great job on my car especially as the SU's were going out of tune - lean at 3500 rpm.
I have also got the charts should you need to see them.
https://classicandrace.co.uk/

[Gfhug]

Mike, which carb needles did you have and what have you changed to?
To help compare notes, is your engine stock with standard air filter or any changes?

Geoff

[Nickleback]

Geoff,
Stock engine, stock new SU carbs from Burlen, Std air filter, full Uk spec with Pertronix electronic ignition.
Works well for me

[chrisvine]

Simon,

I picked my car up on Friday and it's the smoothest it has ever been. So on that front I'm really pleased. Before it ran with a noticeable tappet sound and I was having trouble getting it to sit at idle. It's now noticeably smoother throughout the whole rev range and much quieter. I haven't put it on a rolling road yet although I believe Winspeed use a third party for this.

I had farmed out the rebuilding of the engine during the restoration but had since struggled to tune the car. In the end It became clear that it wasn't the carbs causing the problems but the valve clearances. I'd got so frustrated trying to tune it, I got a local Jag 'specialist' to correct the clearances and tune the car.

So I was a bit concerned (& somewhat sceptical) when I was told that 1) the valve clearances were all over the place and 2) the middle carb wasn't doing much. I'm now wondering what on earth the previous Jag specialist actually did ..... if a job's worth doing, do it yourself!

Chris

[Simonpfhc]

Thanks for the feedback Chris, much appreciated. Sounds like they know what they are doing.

Now I've got the mixture improved, the engine revs much better. I plan to leave any detailed tuning until the engine is fully bedded in. It's currently sitting at 300 miles and I want to get closer to the 1000-mark before Any fettling happens

Glad you've got yours all sorted though.

Cheers.

[NWplasterers]

There's also SanSpeed in Bexleyheath.
Had a quote from them for in house rolling road
Tune (3hours) for £180 inc.
Asked etype uk for a quote as well,they told me that
they use SanSpeed as well !
Although don't know how often.
Ask for Peter. Walks around the workshop like and old professor in his engineers coat-charming man !

[Simonpfhc]

That sounds like a good option.

Thanks NWplasterers (whatever your name is )

Cheers.

[Hugo]

There's also SanSpeed in Bexleyheath.
Had a quote from them for in house rolling road
Tune (3hours) for £180 inc.

3 hours ???

[Gfhug]

I was quoted 3 hours by another company, several runs with different needles and settings unless your car is pretty much correct out of the box

Geoff

[Stuart Exelby]

Haven't gotten round to using them, but these guys have a good reputation....... Just off the A303 before you get to Stonehenge.

http://www.slarkraceengineering.co.uk/

[Grant]

Hi guys ,

Just to let you know I've used Neil Slark to tune up the su's on my MGB a few years ago he did an amazing job which really transformed the car .
He comes from a line of su tuners his dad was Downtown racing famous Mini racers.
He does have a rolling road.

Good luck

Grant