I have been trying to get the idle speed on my 7 down to something sensible and it seems that there is so much play the spindle that the engine is running on air that is leaking in.

Are their any solutions or do I need a new carb

Iain,

If its the zenith side valve then replacement throttle spindles are available. Try seven workshop.

Regards

Rob

Sidedraft and updraft spindles at the 7 Workshop. 01225 868696.

There will almost certainly be wear in the body of the carb so the new spindle may still be sloppy fit. If so you will need to drill out the body and fit bushes. This has to be a very precise machining job or the butterfly will not lie across the centre line of the air-way. Unless you are confident of your engineering skills, you need to contact one of the carb specialists.
Ron

had a good look at my carb and it has about 3mm move ment in the spindle. Am going to have a word with a local engineering company and see if they can machine the carb and make up suitable bushes

if not will be a new carb!

Hello Ian
3mm is quite a lot of play and it will almost certainly be having a detrimental effect, but before you commit yourself with a local engineering company, have a word with "Burlen Fuel Systems" They can be contacted on 01722 412500.They will rebuild your carb. to "as new" spec. and you know that it will be right!
Regards, John.

Oversize spindles at 7 Workshop,as above.

hi,first remove the spindle and inspect it.you will probably find that most of the wear is actually on the spindle not the body.use a good fitting screwdriver on the 2 screws,note which way in the butterfly is fitted(it has 2 indents in it, and the side with the impressions in faces you when you veiw it from the engine side of carb.the spindle wears on the forward side at the linkage end and at the aft side at the other end due to the pull from the throttle linkage(in effect doubeling up the amount of play.a new spindle may cure it.a bit of play wont hurt it.(if it had none at all it would get tight when everthing got warm).

Gents,

my carb has the same problem, the most of the wear was in the spindle, but a new '7 workshop' spindle did not solve the problem as the body is worn oval, the new spindle still seems like a dick in a bucket. As soon as I get my **** in gear its off to Burlens to have a 'proper job' done on it.

I,m with Hedd on this . In my experience 9 out 10 bodies need rebushing. Carb Exchange will do the joo by post very reasonably call 01525 371369

thanks mac

i was torn between a rebuild or a period su conversion...!

If the body locating holes are worn use a soldering iron & siver soldder ,fill the holes the drill out to about 10 th'' under butterfly spindle size the gentle lap spindle into housing using tooth paste(any flavour)This has solved several air problems cheaply.From W>A.Australia

I had Burlens do a mechanical restoration on my Zenith carb' fitted to my Bayliss Thomas. Not the cheapest but I highly recommend the workmanship and value for money they offer. The car simply would'nt run until the carb' had the restoration, one swing on the handle after the job and it purred into life and has been great since fitting last Spring

I have used A7 specialist, Steve Hodgson, to rebuild several of my carbs now.

He does a super job with a full rebuild costing around £80, depending on how many new parts are needed. All the carbs he did for me work perfectly, give good performance and high MPG, contact details in th A7CA Magazine under "Worthing Group" and "Sports Registrar".

The last one I posted down was returned to me finisished in less than a week.

Cheers

Ruairidh