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Fuel leaks from Spitfire Stromberg

To: <triumphs@Autox.Team.Net>
Subject: Fuel leaks from Spitfire Stromberg
From: "jonmac" <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 17:25:48 -0000
Here's my two cents worth
I can't remember the differences between the float chamber set-up on
Stromberg's for the US market and those for other markets. Suffice it to
say, there were several major ones - and all to do with the emission
control system. As we were never allowed to strip a US spec Stromberg, I
never got around to finding out what those differences were. My own GT6
suffered fuel leakage and this was coming from the float chamber. It was a
common problem (subject to service bulletins more than once) and it
affected SU's as well. The delrin needle (on an SU) and whatever's in a US
Stromberg allowing fuel to enter the chamber is prone to sticking. In fact,
you can't see the 'stiction areas' with the naked eye or even under a
magnifying glass. The longitudinal fins on the SU needle are/were the
culprits as were the GT6 valves Service bulletins advised a valve change -
but that was just to sell more of them! Take the valve out and clean all
its surfaces as best you can (ESPECIALLY the fins) with a piece of paint
flatting paper around 300 or 600 grit. If you don't have that, an
equivalent of silicon carbide is just as good.  It takes time and might
need tweezers to get the abrasive into the awkward spaces. Causes?
Hardening of the nylon substance and miniscule growth of whiskers on the
fins (on the SU) and various additives in the fuel can form semi-glues
which prevent the fuel inlet valves on both carb types from fully closing.
John Macartney


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