Hi Guys, I'm thinking of re-producing the Phenolic material spacers between the carbs and the manifolds. Mine have several cracks near the water holes, I'm sure they will leak if I put them back on as they are.I asked Bruce at ZTherapy when I ordered my rebuild kit for my carbs if he sold them and he said no one does. He recommended filling the water holes with epoxy because I really don't need water going into the carbs. Since I have access to a CNC Milling machine I was thinking of machining up a few sets and see if there is any interest. Several factors would come into play.

#1 If I could use a less expensive material than phenolic I could charge less. Any suggestions?

#2 How many versions were there between 70-72? Mine are 15MM thick, was there a thinner version?

#3 Water holes, are they needed or just leave them as blanks?

#4 How strong is the interest?

#5 How much to charge for a pair? Any idea what they go for now if you could find a brand new set?

Gary,

Maybe we can enlist the aid of someone with a 3 screw manifold half lying around. If somone has one and wouldn't mind helping with this "Watch Mr. Wizard" experiment, plug the holes into the carb base and blow into the water inlet or outlet hole and see if air comes out the hole on the other side.

The answer is no. I have 3 screw carbs with an E88 manifold. I stuck a drill into the manifold waterline from the thermostat side and it does not go past the first inlet to the carb so the water will in fact be blocked from that point on. I have seen debates on both sides as to whether we actually need to run water through the intake manifold, I guess it's personnel preference. I don't have any reasons not to run water through mine so I will keep mine operational.

Mike

I am going to price materials the coming week and mill up a couple sets of spacers. Should take a week or two. Since mine will not be running for the next year or so anyone want to volunteer to try out the first set?

So I'd surmise that if you wanted to run water through the manifold while blocking off water to the carbs, you could drill through that wall between the 2 passages to the carb base. I'm guessing drilling in one side and out the other was what was done to get water through the 4 screw manifold. We will look at some manifolds and confirm.....

So I'd surmise that if you wanted to run water through the manifold while blocking off water to the carbs, you could drill through that wall between the 2 passages to the carb base. I'm guessing drilling in one side and out the other was what was done to get water through the 4 screw manifold. We will look at some manifolds and confirm.....

I would agree with that Bruce. You could also mill a slot between the two holes on the gasket surface.

Not everyone here can just arbitrarily set-up and "mill" something like you can Mike. Nyuck nyuck.....

Most everyone has a drill...... Everybody here with a mill hold your hand up.

Another FWIW. There is a freeze plug on the 4 screw manifold half underneath and two on the screw manifold half which open into little water holding chambers in the maniflold. The reason for the 2 cavities on the 3 screw is because of the interior seperator wall inside.

Hey guys-

I just read where it is not prohibited to sell things on the forum, hope I didn't step on any toes with my first posting on this topic. :stupid:

Scott,

If you were in trouble, you'd know it!

As a newby, you get the benefit of doubt for a while-as long as you don't go painting Matchbox cars and passing them off as coming that way!

Will

...as you don't go painting Matchbox cars and passing them off as coming that way!

Jeeze, Will! Get over the Matchbox thing, already!

pARANOIAWILLDESTROYA!

Arne, at least I didn't mention selling cars you don't own on a website you do!

Just seeing if you were paying attention!

Will

pARANOIAWILLDESTROYA!

Arne, at least I didn't mention selling cars you don't own on a website you do!

Just seeing if you were paying attention!

Will

Not only paying attention, I've got a memory...

Arne-

You have a "get out of 'Found my car in a Hot Wheels package' Hell free card'! The rest of yu rabblerousers-well...

Now at least one of those Hotwheels/used car site jokesters in Oregon has a clean slate!

Will

Do'oh!

Busted...again!

Will

This site has spacers available in multiple sizes.

http://www.aptfast.com/Images_Parts/SU/SHIF44-05.jpg

http://www.aptfast.com/APT_Parts/SU_Parts/a_SU_components.htm

Not sure exactly what size early z's use but if they are selling for $10.99 it would take a long time to recoup costs of reproduction. They also have just about everything else for SU's but they specialize in MG's. Just my opinion.

If you know the correct size of everything you need you should be able to find it here.

John

The HS6 sizes would work in a pinch for 4 screw carbs, bit wouldn't look original.