SNIPPETS FROM TERRY NORTH

[Keith Clements]

Cut from Aug 2014 Flat Four
DRIVESHAFTS

I had Ken Brownlie's Javelin in the workshop a while back with a vibration in
the driveshaft. As it was occurring at around the 30 to 40 mph range I headed
for the front layrub. Ken had replaced this with good used ones on two
occasions, with no satisfactory results. After checking the other layrubs I
found them to be in reasonable condition. I did discover however that the nut
on the gearbox flange was loose as was the nut holding the flange at the
centre layrub. Even after tightening this one, the flange was still loose on the
spline - the nut was bottoming out on the splines before it had clamped the
flange. After sliding a washer down first it all clamped up nice. None of this
fixed the problem so Ken bit the bullet and bought a brand new layrub from
Jowett Spares. As I was fitting it I noticed how nice and supple the rubbers
were as compared to the old ones. After the test run the smile on Ken's face
said it all.
CARBURETTORS
My Javelin has always had a flat spot when accelerating. I've tried lots of
things to fix it with varying results such as main jets, progression jets timing
etc. etc. In the end I took the carbs right off to strip and inspect. They looked
good so I soaked them in industrial cleaner hoping that it may clean out some
of the drilled passage ways . When I was putting them back together I noticed
that the numbers on the spray beaks that screw on (emulsion block) to the
float bowls were different, so after a closer look I could see the holes were
different sizes. I pulled apart a number of Javelin carbs from the parts shed
trying to establish which is the correct type (I found many variations) , they all
look the same except the size and amount of jet holes varies. I think what has
happened over the years is that the bowl threads have stripped and bowls
have been replaced without checking the emulsion blocks. Anyway Neil
Moore turned up with a brand new old stock carb and some very tidy original
Jav. Carbs and they all checked out the same. Javelins have 3 jet holes, the
bottom one is 1mm, the middle one is 1.15mm and the top one is1.45mm.
Jupiter and Bradford will differ. With a matched pair fitted the car now runs
much nicer - not perfect, but a lot better.
(My word Terry, this is worth knowing. Eds.)