The V8 Owners Forum -

Recently my car started running bad, it stalls if left idle for a few seconds, sometimes feels like its got no power then suddenly picks up, generally doesnt run too well. Its a 3.5L RV8 which I beleive comes from an early eighties SD1. Running two SU carbs.

Given that im not that good mechanically and have never owned a classic car before, I took it to a local guy to look into it. He came back and said I had two problems, firstly the intake manifold gasket is leaking air in, so could do with being replaced. And secondly the air filters need replacing as they have no elements in. The filters arent a worry as I can sort them myslef.

However the manifold gasket, would be getting replaced at this garage, all I need to do is source it myself. So I got in touch with RPI with the engine number to order the manifold gasket, and asked there oppinion on this.

I got an email back today saying that they would need to talk to me as the problems ive highlighted are part of the issue but things do go quite a bit deeper, so tryed to get in touch but missed them.

Im going to call back tomorrow to see what they say, was just hoping someone on here could give a bit advice or tell me what to expect?

Has anyone else had the symtoms ive mentioned above?

If it has no paper elements in the air filters then it will tend to run lean at idle (probably all the way up unless the carbs have been reset) this will however be most noticable at idle. Add to this the air leak and roberts your mother's brother. I would buy the gasket yourself and change it youself, it is a straightforward job, add the airfilters set the mixture using the lift pin method (in a haynes manual) and it will probably sort it (ballance the carbs using a bit of siphon tube from a brewing kit, I did my first pair of SUs this way when I was about 9. My experience of RPI is that they are a bit sharp in selling you extra stuff if they can, especially if you seem in any way uncertain (they will probably tell you your carbs are old and worn out and try and sell you a webber carb and manifold, they don't do new SUs ).
I think in this case you are best off with the DIY route, get a haynes manual for a RR or SD1 and have a go work mathodically and carefully and you will do a much better job than a garage. Ebay is a good place for the gasket and it comes without a dodgy sales pitch.
Mike

okay ive ordered the valley gasket, so just waiting on delivery, as for the filters, these are what I have fitted at the moment

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MG-STAINLESS-Spor ... 286.c0.m14

Is it worth buying a new pair which I presume will have the filter elements included (cant find them available seperately) or are there any other filters that are better? My carbs are the 1.5 inch HS4's, but I can only seem to find products for the HS2's which are smaller.

I can't see the filtering element on those, or the depth but they are for 1 1/2 sus and you have 1 3/4. if they are stainless steel wire as many are then they are not any use as they dont filter.
The original paper element set up is right for the needles you have, will filter well and if changed about every 10k miles offer little restriction. If you don't have the original set up a foam type filter is pretty good but you may have to get new needles to get it to run right (you may be able to get it right with the needles you have by adjusting the existing needle height and mixture adjustment but it is a fiddle).
A K&N filter kit is an option but they do not offer much filtering and you will definatly need new needles but you should be able to get the needle number off the internet (loads of people have fitter them).
If you can go for the standard paper filter set up for a basic tune engine they are a good set up.
Mike

well I phoned them up as theyr'e local and the guy said they had the filtering element included aswel, im just going to look when I go through, as originally I though id be able to just get new elements for my pancake filters, however cant find them for sale indicidually.

If these ones in the shop tomorrow are no good, il go down the K & N route or something!

Will those flow enough air for a 3500??