B14 air filter mounting bolts on carb

[shimon340]

Hi,

A 1.4 I'm working on for a friend had the air filter held onto the carb with only 1 bolt ( a proper stud ).

On inspection, the other two bolts are missing and the thread is practically smooth. On the day of collection the owner had fitted a second bolt to hold the air filter on. This was simply a long bolt pushed up through the carb mounting hole with a 8mm locknut ( standard ) in the usual position in the carb.

I want to sort this out better so:

If I use long bolts pushed up from the base of the carb (in the usual place) into air filter as usual, 8mm locknuts with locktite on the thread, will this hold? I dont want these nuts undoing and dropping the nut down the carb.

Will the above suffice?? OR do I need to tap / re-thread the mounting holes on the carb, screw in new bolts and the use 8mm locking nuts plus locktite. Admittedly the latter option sounds better but will take longer and the guys wants his car soon!

The guy I used to learn mechanics with used to also fit an external bracket to hold the air flilter on - use one of the rocker cover bolts to hold one end of the bracket - then screw into the outer side of the air filter housing. Doesnt look original but hold filter tight.

maybe I'll use that tap set I bought for the 66 to get the steering lock out...


look forward to your opinions!!

Shimon

[srtames]

The usual cure is to retap the carb (Weber)with M6 threads. I also used brass bolts cut to right length . Worth checking your breather pipes are clean at same time.

regards, Steve

[Cornholio]

As above. My old 1.4 was down to one bolt too, so the stealership tapped the carb for me.

[mac]

Interestin' i'nit, The early post '81' cars actually had an extra bracket, but it was 'deleted' after a year or so - I wonder why it was there in the first place?



Very common this one - as everyone has said, usual is to retap the hole for new stud '1 size up'. If you are ultra keen go the helicoil route. Nut n' bolt works but it's a bodge really. Answer is don't overtighten and always use new 'nylocs' when re-fitting the filter housing. Seen some lovely jobs over the years - araldite, wire, woodscrews etc.

Mac.

[redline]

Seen some lovely jobs over the years - araldite, wire, woodscrews etc.Mac.

when have you been under my bonnet lol ?

[shimon340]

cheers guys! retap it is then! current bolts are M5 so I'll tap a 6mm hold and use 8mm lock nuts? sound good?

thanks so much

Shimon