The 'E' Type Forum

Hi . I have a persistant leak from rear of left hand rear Stromberg carburettor of my 1974 V12 Etype. I have removed airfilters with a view to balance carburettors but assume will not get good balance if carburettor is leaking. With that in mind I attempted to remove the carbs as per manual but came to a halt trying to get at the rear lower nuts of 4 holding the carb in place, how is it possible to get a spanner behind the carburettor to remove those nuts of both carbs. Once carbs removed I assume it will be easy to get at the float chamber to inspect/renew needle valves. Has anybody else experienced similar removal issues. Having lost nuts,bolts etc into the panel work under the carbs I am naturally concerned of starting a job that will be more involved than it needs to be.

Maxie Wrote:

Has anybody else experienced similar removal issues. Having lost nuts,bolts etc into the panel work under the carbs I am naturally concerned of starting a job that will be more involved than it needs to be.

Hello Maxie,
I've removed all, and any combination of Stromberg Carburetor of an S3 car many times, but I have a number of altered 1/2" open end and ring spanners to do so. Rather than mutilate what may be a good set of spanners you have, buy a few Open End/Ring Spanners and modify by heating the spanner to a bright red heat where you want to bend them.

The following picture is of just a few that I've modified for various purposes. You won't get the nut you're referring to with conventional spanners.

Put some rag in the area beneath the nut to catch it if you drop it (likely) and use a magnet on an extension to be ready to catch the nut as soon a it disengages with the final thread.

Regards,

Bill

Many thanks Bill, glad I am not alone with problem. Will take up your idea and buy some 1/2 " open end /ring spanners. Max

I’ve also done this job on my S3 many times & have a collection of modified 1/2 inch spanners like Bill. Recently I found an old bicycle spanner that works well for the bottom row of nuts. After years of working on a Mini Cooper the access to the e type is fabulous.

Thanks Ross. From Bill's reply I searched my tool box and found some old 1/2" spanners plus like you have found an old bike spanner which I will try. Not sure I share your views on good Etype access, but I do rememver working on back of mini engines which were not easy. I think a healthy dose of patience is required but about to give it a go!! Max

reference the leak, I have recently removed ( with altered spanners) all 4 carburettors on my XJ12 series 1 and rebuilt them. Your leak may well be the bung in the bottom of the float chamber. Early Stromberg carbs had a mixture adjuster in this hole but this was dropped for the Jaguar V12 and a plastic bung with a rubber O ring was put in its place. All four of mine were shot and as part of the rebuild I replaced them all with , hopefully, ethanol resistant parts. It might be possible to prise out an old bung without removing the carb as the tangs will be weak. A new one will push in but not pull out. Of course it could be any number of other items but that would be a good guess.