Re: Tickler pins

[Allan Chalmers]

Madhu's problems with floats prompts me to remind folks that the tickler pins on the bowl lids are a source of an inferno if a float sinks - gas will come pouring out around the pin, possibly igniting. Phil Marino had this occur several years ago to his TC and it cost him dearly to re-restore his engine compartment.

Several ways to fix the problem including o-rings around the tickler pin - The best solution - to sealing the holes off with epoxy, or a wood dowel, or whatever.

Allan Chalmers


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[David Lodge]

Hello Allan,

Did they seal originally:? Most of the ones I've seen have sort
of worn conically where they contact the side of the hole in the
loat chamber lid. What say Joe Curto?

Regards, David Lodge





----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE -----
From: "Allan Chalmers"
To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [mg-tabc] Tickler pins
Date: 2.9.2005 - 18:55:05

> Madhu's problems with floats prompts me to remind folks
> that the tickler pins on the bowl lids are a source of
> an inferno if a float sinks - gas will come pouring
> out around the pin, possibly igniting. Phil Marino
> had this occur several years ago to his TC and it cost
> him dearly to re-restore his engine compartment.
>
> Several ways to fix the problem including o-rings
> around the tickler pin - The best solution - to
> sealing the holes off with epoxy, or a wood dowel, or
> whatever.
>
> Allan Chalmers
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

[joecurto@aol.com]

Dave the only ones I have ever seen sealed were on Bentleys and they
did that by fitting a small flat rubber washer (O ring) and a flat brass
washer on the bottom side. I guess this was to prevent peeing gasoline over the
carb and onto the exhaust manifold and directed the overflowing fuel out the
overflow pipe. They also used a stronger spring than the wimpy one we use on T
types. I think ticklers were a left over from a different time and would have
been used pre-war to dislodge a piece of dirt from a needle and seat or used as a
possible cold start device by "bobbling" the float you squirted raw gas into
the throat of the carb. I think T series MGTF was pretty much the last to use
this device as 100-4 Healey or MGA all had the space for them but non
installed. Though I am sure that some other Mfg. kept them ( probably Bentley)

By the time the mid 1950's were in swing SU seemed to get down to a more
consistant product, i.e. cast alloy bodies, lightweight pistons with different
damper springs to adjust weight. I guess as war surplus stocks were used up they
were forced (directed) to come up with new and better mfg. procedures.

Joe


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