The HS6 carbs on my '68 B18B have very worn throttle shafts. I have a complete pair of HIF6s that were said to come off a '71 ish 140 series. Been cleaning them up. I was going to pull the needle to see it was. I have pulled the needles on my HS6s. I loosened the needle set screw but the needle didn't come out. Is there a procedure to remove the needles? Is there a recommended needle I might want to start with for the B18B. Engine has no mods.

Also, are the seals on the ends of the throttle shafts still available? Since the carbs have not been in service for some time I pulled the float cover. All seems ok in there. Besides changing the float cover seal should I be considering changing the float valve? Are the Grose-Jet float valves better?

Craig

Hi Craig,
The spring loaded needles on the HIF series ( and last of the HS too ) are retained by a bushing about 3/16 of an inch in diameter. Invert the piston and hold it gently in a vice. Put a bit of penetrating solvent on the base of the piston around the needle, and gently drive the bushing INTO the piston. That will loosen it a bit, and you should be able to pull the bushing and needle out as a unit. The "hat" on the needle pulls the bushing out, and sometimes it slides off the needle shank. Then things get a bit expensive, although you can replace the hat on the needle with some fussing.
The stock HIF6 needle will work with the B18 - a bit rich, but try it and see. BAL profile is leaner than the BBB.
Seals are still available.
I don't like "gross" jets at all.
Rhys

Thanks for the information on needle removal.

Where do you route the hoses coming off the hot start devices on the carbs?

There is a vacumn connection on the intake side of each carb. One is smaller and the other a bit bigger. I assume one might be for vacumn advance if you have it. I will cap that one if correct. Wonder what the other is for?

I do have the box air filter with the HIF6 and there were spacers for the carbs. The hot air shutter was with the air box but I don't know if the shutter is functional. Need to leave it outside for a bit. Was there a hole in the header panel for the air nozzle?

Craig

The "hot start device" (more like a vapor recovery system) is vented to the charcoal canister if equipped. If I remember, your car is a '68 which did not have the charcoal canister. Regardless, the hot start device can simply be vented to the atmosphere. Your HS6s were vented to the atmosphere from the factory.

As for the vacuum connections, I assume you mean the small one on the bottom of the rear carb base which does go to the distributer.

The larger one on the top of the front carb base goes to the charcol canister if equipped.