Carburettor Spacer

[Hughsie]

They can be. But in reality I wouldn't bother unless your running a really hot motor. My alloy head A7 only has a paper gasket with no heat problems at all.
Cheers

Hi Muskrat,

I am new to the Forum and I was searching about the spacer between the carb and alloy head. I have a 55 A7 engine with an Alloy head fitted, I dont know any more about the engine. but at the moment I have no spacer between the head and (very worn) carb. as I am ordering a new 376 carb I though I would double check if I really should also order a spacer? If so what should I order, a tufnol spacer?
Any suggestions would be appreciated, as I see you seem to have mentioned an alloy head.
Many thanks

[muskrat]

G'day Hughsie, sorry for delay, I've been away to IOM.
Most classic bike shops will sell the insulators (tufnol) in 1/16" or 1/8" thickness. I use 1/8" myself.
Cheers

[Hughsie]

Thanks for the reply.
I got one from Hitchcocks in the UK, it's been working great and no issues to speak of.
My next woe is I've been scaremongered by some older locals about my crank bearing causing my engine to seize up.
I was just happy it was now running sweet, didn't really want to pull it apart, but it's playing on my mind now lol.
Will write a separate update in the correct section once I decide what to do...

[Rocket Racer]

G'day Hughsie, sorry for delay, I've been away to IOM.
Most classic bike shops will sell the insulators (tufnol) in 1/16" or 1/8" thickness. I use 1/8" myself.
Cheers

What! Muskrat you've been to the IOM    . Wheres the thread with all the pic's  of the pilgrimage
Magic place 

mod edit: http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=8757.msg69141#msg69141

[bsa-bill]

I've been scaremongered by some older locals about my crank bearing causing my engine to seize up.

two main issues with the crank play

1. end float
2. worn timing side bush

Quick way to check both (well not that quick)
 1. End float - remove the primary chain case  and the shock absorber arrangement and sprocket from the crank, pull the crank back and forth looking for movement, initial set up is max of 3 thou, obviously with use this may have increased a little.
 2. timing side bush - remove the timing side cover, probably best to remove the oil pump, then look for lift on the crank pinion.

Many of these old bikes are travelling along quite happily with  a bit of play and a bit of end play, I wouldn't panic unduly, ONOH your probably not going to be happy now until you've satisfied yourself of the old girls condition, if it aint banging to much enjoy it for the time being

 

[duTch]

 

.....and the shock absorber arrangement and sprocket from the crank,.....

 No offense Bill, and maybe I'm having a moment, but is it really necessary to remove any of that just to check ?

[Topdad]

I think in a previous post it was stated that the engine shock absorber didn't effect end float as it was a self contained unit not tensioning the crank ,so couldn't you just pull as is in situ to check ? Bob

[bsa-bill]

Bob  Dutch
Yes  your quite right, usual bit of brain fog