Federal Spec - Stromberg needles and Cross over pipe gaskets

[terryp]

Hello
What are the best needles to have for a standard federal car with full emission control. The ones on the car were stuck in the carbs after 26 years of not moving and are bent and corroded. Luckily all other bits of the carbs are OK
Also where do I buy them?

Next question is whilst the crossover pipes on the carb side has a paper gasket, what is used on the exhaust side. I can't quite make out what it is , it would seem a very brittle reinforced paper?

Thanks

Terry

[oldelanman]

Try these people for parts.....

http://burlen.co.uk/

http://www.gowerlee.dircon.co.uk/spares.html#Stromberg

[RogerFrench]

You can indeed get needles from Burlen, but you need to know what model carb you have. Particularly you need to know if you have adjustable needles or not.

[terryp]

Thanks for the replys , the needles are sprung so I suppose that means they are adjustable.
Has anyone improved the performance with a standard Federal set up with better needles?

Thanks
Terry

[RogerFrench]

Both types are sprung. Adjustable needles have larger diameter base, a slot in the side where the screw fits, and a thread in the end for an adjusting screw with Allen key recess.
Non-adjustable are held in place by grubscrew (setscrew) only.
Have you removed yours?

[collins_dan]

lotus-carbs-f40/adj-carb-needle-t20300-15.html

Here is a link to my journey to get my federal stormbergs to work their best. I have since changed from the L2 cams to QED 360s (essentially sprint cams) and the carbs continue to be great. It was the right move.

Dan

[terryp]

Roger
They have the grub screw so must be the non adjustable type.
Dan
That sounds a great modification but I'm on a bit of a budget at the moment so I might buy standard B1G needles and run the car for a while and see how it goes. Then go for adjustable needles when funds permit

Thanks a lot
Terry