Recent posts

#1

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by MiniDave - Today at 10:16:34 AM

Don and I went to look at some big shiny silver dumpsters after breakfast this morning! As big as they are, they're not as big as the Dodge Ram 1500 that went cruising past us as we were looking at them. It was interesting to see them at all different suspension heights too.....One of them had the roll top partly open so you could see into the bed. I can think of a lot of things I can buy with the $100K plus it takes to buy one.

One other interesting thing - if you've been following the news about these online, there are a lot of complaints about the sharp edges on the panels - and boy howdy are they ever. I can see how easy it would be to slice open your hand or wrist putting something in or out of the frunk especially.

#2

The Lounge / Re: Cranky Old Guy - Smiths Ga...

Last post by MiniDave - Today at 10:05:47 AM

Bottom line, it reads too high, and gives you the frights? Every once in a while mine reads up to 15, then seems to back off again to high 13's, low 14's even after I've been on the road for a while.

What you could do if you want - I put in a USB charging port, and it had a digital readout for battery voltage - the readout is pretty small so it's fairly unobtrusive, especially since it's slightly under the dash. That way the gauge is there for reference only - and if it looks like it's reading crazy you can always check the digi gauge.

https://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Charge-Qidoe-Aluminum-Voltmeter/dp/B08PTZ17NS/ref=asc_df_B08PTZ17NS/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=693366125648&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7570642269393117139&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9023906&hvtargid=pla-1186636383770&psc=1&mcid=1cf07338f4f3341297c9cfcc022c08fd&gad_source=1

#3

The Lounge / Cranky Old Guy - Smiths Gauges

Last post by tmsmini - May 31, 2024, 05:02:51 PM

Email exchange with caerbont, It is in reverse order, so hard to follow

I understand it is old technology. The VDO 20 year old gauge I have is still accurate. My cars charging system outputs 14.2 volts as verified by multiple gauges. The less than a year old gauge reads over 15 which is closer to 5%. I do understand the gauge reading can be relative to the environment.

> "outside these limits you have a problem and need to investigate ASAP"
upon investigation I found the gauge is inaccurate and foolishly bought another.

Very disappointing.

Terry
On 5/31/2024 12:13 PM, Peter Wilkinson wrote:
>
> What you have is a 1960's technology gauge, you are never going to get digital accuracy out of them.> 
>
> Smith philosophy at the time was gauges of this technology was that after a few trips in your vehicle you knew where the normal position was, if it suddenly read higher or lower then consult you garage to investigate the problem. 
>
> We try to give 3 % accuracy at calibration on our gauges and 14 v +3% gives 14.42 volts, so looking at you pictures the gauge is in calibration so we would not change it.
>
> With a voltmeter, if you turn the ignition on and it reads 12v or over and then starting reads somewhere around 14 volts then you have nothing to worry about, outside these limits you have a problem and need to investigate ASAP. 
>
> Regards
>

> Peter
>
> Software Engineer
>
> Direct Phone +44 (0)1639 732243
>
> Caerbont Automotive Instruments Ltd
> Unit1, Caerbont Industrial Estate, Caerbont, Abercrave, Swansea, SA9 1SH
> Company Registration No 2847474
>
> www.caigauge.com
>
> T : +44(0)1639 732200
>    
>
>
> Caerbont Automotive
>
>           Instruments
>
>
> From: terry.smith <tmsmith510@gmail.com>
> Sent: Friday, May 31, 2024 2:58 PM
> To: Peter Wilkinson <Peter.Wilkinson@caigauge.com>
> Subject: Re: volt meter
>
> 
>
> Peter:
>
> So I bench tested as you suggested starting low and going high. The meter still read a volt high at 14 volts. I bought a new gauge and it is high by .5 volt using the same process.
>
> I also realized that the old gauges were not that old as I had purchased them in October of 2023. I found this out when I went to file the receipt for the new purchase. I thought I had replaced the gauges all at the same time, but the voltmeters were only replaced last year.
>
> I checked the gauge against another old one and the newer gauges are definitely reading high.
>
> What can be done?
>
> Terry
>
> On 5/19/2024 10:52 PM, Peter Wilkinson wrote:
>
>     There is no user calibration on the gauges.
>
>     
>
>     With aircored technology volt meters there is an error if you start high and go low as in normal use you turn on the ignition, it goes to battery voltage, then you start the car and it goes to charging voltage. Normally you then complete your journey and switch off .
>
>     
>
>     If you bench test starting at 14 volts and then lower to 11.5 volts you will find they often overread by about ¾ of a volt. Do it the way you would normally use it starting low then go high it would be OK.
>
>     
>
>     Regards
>
>     
>
>     Peter Wilkinson

#4

Maintenance and Modifications / Re: HS4 carb rebuild question

Last post by ADRay - May 30, 2024, 04:48:53 PM

As I continue to rebuild and install my carb, I am having a problem with the choke return spring. I can get it wound up and get the whole linkage back together, and it will still pop loose. I'm reusing the old linkage and springs (in good shape) but have converted the jet to standard, using the conversion kit wire.

Sorry I don't have a pic, after the last time it popped loose I left it on the bench and walked away for the day.

any suggestions?

#5

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by Brit_in_TX - May 29, 2024, 02:41:19 PM

The sell them in the UK, and they are total junk. 

#6

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by 94touring - May 29, 2024, 11:33:48 AM

Ha, interesting find!  I've never seen one of those.

#7

The Lounge / Re: A new game... Post pics fr...

Last post by BruceK - May 29, 2024, 10:26:33 AM

It's a MG Jim, but not as we know it.

It's a Mexican-registered, Chinese-built vehicle with a venerable historically-British nameplate.

I spotted this generic-looking MG SUV in a local parking lot today. The front sort of looks like a Mazda CX5 and the back sort of looks like a Toyota RAV4.  And I'm sure that was the general idea. It's about as far away as it can be from a MGB.

#8

Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Jet height HIF 44

Last post by 94touring - May 27, 2024, 08:26:46 PM

13-14s at idle is perfectly fine.  It's whatever the leanest you can get at idle and it still idle ok. Sounds like you're getting closer.  Lean spikes on initial throttle are to be expected.  Just keep working at it a little at a time till you can maintain that 13 target at WOT. 

#9

Maintenance and Modifications / Re: Jet height HIF 44

Last post by bikewiz - May 27, 2024, 07:44:58 PM

So this is what I've come up with modifying my existing BDL needle. I made a holder for the needle to hold it straight in a collet. Sanded off a little with 1000 grit and polished it with metal polish.
 
Position   Before    After
9           735       730
10          725       715
11          705       700
12          695       680
13          650       640
14          630       620
15          595       590

The jet height is .0445

I didn't get to drive it a lot but on hard acceleration from 70 in 4th I saw a momentary 16 spike and then it richened up to high 13's to briefly low 15's. Generally speeds around 30-50 I was around 14 to 15. In lower gears on acceleration it would dip into the 12-13's. What kind of numbers should I be looking for at idle when the car is warmed up? Right now I'm still at low 13's to 14 at idle. I'm a little concerned it will richen it too much at idle if I change the jet height too much.
I also realized it's a bit of a problem looking at the gauge, tach, and driving. It does have data logging, I may consider setting that up later.

I'm amazed at how such a small amount off the needle can make such a big difference.

#10

Fuel Injection / Re: MINI DIY Supercharged w/Ho...

Last post by tmsmini - May 27, 2024, 08:36:44 AM

Cole went in another direction completely and it seems to be running well. I have not checked in lately though...