SU HD8 bush removal

Technical advice Q&A

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MarkW
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Location: Dartmouth, Devon
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#1 SU HD8 bush removal

Post by MarkW » Wed Mar 26, 2025 6:41 am

The triple SU carbs for my 1962 3.8 are fully stripped and have been vapour blasted ready for my Burlen rebuild kit.

I need to source (buy/hire/borrow) a 9.5mm pilot reamer to remove the butterfly shaft bushes.

My original bushes look like brass, used with steel butterfly shafts, whereas the kit includes steel bushes and brass/bronze shafts.

Any advice on the reamer please?

Thanks, Mark
June 1962 FHC Opalescent Dark Green (bodyshell currently with Blackline Classics).

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mgcjag
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#2 Re: SU HD8 bush removal

Post by mgcjag » Wed Mar 26, 2025 7:07 am

Have a read here and possibly contact Burlan SU to do it
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=14650&p=119509&hilit=Reamer#p119509
Steve
69 S2 2+2 (sold) ..Realm C type replica, 1960 xk150fhc

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Topic author
MarkW
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Location: Dartmouth, Devon
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#3 Re: SU HD8 bush removal

Post by MarkW » Sat Mar 29, 2025 8:30 am

Thanks Steve, looks like it’s far too risky for DIY. My new brass shafts are not a bad fit in the existing bushes with just a tiny amount of slop. I am tempted to use them as is but that would mean brass shafts running in brass bushes which does not sound right.

I’ll call Burlen next week to discuss and report back.

BTW, there is an excellent YouTube video “E-Type XKE 4.2 Triple HD8 SU carbs full rebuild process“ from Fix a Carb Ltd which covers everything in detail (apart from bushes!).

Cheers, Mark
June 1962 FHC Opalescent Dark Green (bodyshell currently with Blackline Classics).

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caveman
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#4 Re: SU HD8 bush removal

Post by caveman » Sat Mar 29, 2025 9:38 am

Burlen did mine this winter and although I had a small amount of 'play' in each, it all added up to one of the idle screws having to be wound fully home to achieve correct idle rpm.
Turnaround by Burlen was 4 weeks but I stripped them down to minimum at their request. A great service and the car is running smoother.
The video you mentioned was referenced as a reminder and has already been highlighted on this forum by others. Good luck :salute:
Steve
1965 S1 4.2 FHC (early)
:wavegreatbritain:

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Topic author
MarkW
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Location: Dartmouth, Devon
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#5 Re: SU HD8 bush removal

Post by MarkW » Wed Apr 09, 2025 7:50 pm

A bit of feedback: I spoke to Chris at Burlen and he didn’t think early bushes were brass so my concern re brass spindles running in original bushes was allayed.

Burlen did offer to re-bush but Chris suggested a trial fitting of both the new spindles and butterflies from the rebuild kit before deciding. After carefully assembling I obtained a great fit so re-bushing not required. Engine had done 70,000 miles.
Cheers,
Mark
June 1962 FHC Opalescent Dark Green (bodyshell currently with Blackline Classics).

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