E.R. GREEN

Sir,

NA hen petrol rationing came into force I realised that I should have to do something about it. My car is a 1933 Singer Nine sports 4-seater fitted with two 30 m.m. downdraught Solex carburetters, giving about 28 m.p.g. I wrote to Solex, and they suggested new main and pilot jets. I fitted these and got 30-32 m.p.g. The engine is in excellent condition, as I rebored it when the war started. I decided to convert it to a single carburetter, so I visited my local scrap yards and searched for a Singer Nine, either a car or a van. I then bought for a few shillings the inlet and exhaust manifolds and carburetter, also the fixing clamps and exhaust-pipe. After several months my average consumption has been 37 m.p.g., which I think you will agree is quite good. I also converted a Singer Nine Le Mans 1936 belonging to a friend, and he is now getting 36 m.p.g., so obviously my scheme works. And now a few notes for those who wish to apply it. You must buy the exhaust pipe as well as the inlet, as this is a different size and has a different flange to the one already fitted, and the new exhaust-flange is offset to clear the bottom radiator hose. You will need to pack the pipe to fit the silencer, due to the smaller size. Buy also the two clamp bars, as the twin carburetter layout has not got these. Buy the ball-joint and connection on the carburetter and make up a short bar to connect to the accelerator-control. The carburetter will probably be a 26 mm. Solex, and since this has come from a Singer Nine it should be correctly tuned. As to performance ; top speed is 60-65 m.p.h. it stead of 70, hill-climbing and acceleration are down about 10-15 per cent. ; up to 3,000 r.p.m. not much differ ence is noticed, but above this the engine speed mounts slowly, which is where you really miss the twin carburetters. How ever, the performance is still quite good, and no difference is noticed in starting, so I consider the conversion is well worth doing. There is still possible improvement, I think, by three means : (1) Fit a standard camshaft in place of the sports camshaft now fitted ; (2) Fit a reconditioned carburetter ;

(3) Fit a Cox Atmos economiser.

If I get the chance to try any of these I will inform you.

It should be possible to convert other cars the same way, for instance early M.G. Midgets, an 0.11.V. Morris Minor manifold n nd carburetter will interchange; likewise the early M.G. sixcylinder engines will inter-change with Wolseley Hornets; the Hornet Special could be converted to Standard Hornet manifold and carburetter, Riley Nine likewise. I think you will agree that it is easier to time one small carburetter for economy than two large ones. I am, Yours etc.,

Bradford-on-Avon E. B. Gums. Or