Doing Carburetor Work on the Austin Healey 3000

[@Alcarods]

Classic cars and vintage computers all in one channel? As a professional technician and a shop foreman for a speed shop, I LOVE IT!

[@UsagiElectric]

Thank you so much! I love this little Healey, it's one of the best cars ever made. Only thing I enjoy as much as it is the Isuzu Bellett, that thing is a riot. It's a challenge to keep them all running, but so worth it!

[@WesMakesStuff]

Usagi Automotive! Im totally down fr this as a car guy and and electroncis guy. I really enjoy your video style and seeing it on another car video is awesome.

[@the123king]

Definitely, there's a lot of crossover between vintage computing and vintage vehicles. Old stuff doing work is great whatever it is

[@rmcdudmk212]

Same here. If he started a second channel for his car stuff I'd watch it. 👍

[@jdorozco1275]

FINALLY!!! After seeing the healey in the background of many of the computer restoration episodes, like the elephant in the room, we finally get to acknowledge the real star!

[@axelBr1]

Writing as a Brit; I worked in Houston overall for a couple of months in 1997, and was shocked to see how small a Range Rover looked compared to all the trucks, so takes some guts to drive those little Japanese cars on the roads love that you love our little sports cars. I'm not a car guy so don't know much about the Austin Healey, so great to actually see one, (and being driven by someone who's got a Japanese car to get them to work). My dad and grandpa both had Austin Morris Minors, so recognise the engine, although half the size from way back; and my dad loved the Triumph 2000, and remember topping up the damper pot of the SUs, as part of the virtually continuous maintenance. Regarding the floats. I thought that removing as much as possible of the solder would be required in order not to increase the mass of the float causing it to float a little lower and hence have the engine run a bit richer.

[@finkelmana]

It hasnt changed at all. Trucks in the US just get bigger and bigger. Modern "small" pickup trucks dwarf today's sedans. And its not as if sedans stayed the same size. A 4 seat family car is bigger than a pickup truck from the '90s.

[@axelBr1]

@@finkelmana It's similar the world over, occasionally I'll see a "large" car from the 1980s, and it's dwarfed by even a compact car.

[@MarianoLu]

@@finkelmanaexactly right… as you say, not much changed I have a lot of fun driving my MGB in Houston but is scary when you stop at a light and can see the car one live over from UNDER the truck next to you.

[@mrtnsnp]

That tree over your driveway is lovely.

[@awesomecronk7183]

Indeed, amazing canopy!

[@ducksonplays4190]

@@awesomecronk7183 I agree, it is a nice canopy!

[@jeromethiel4323]

Carburetors are part science, and part black effing magic. So intricate in how they work, and any little thing will make them work less well than they can. So many little things go on inside a carb. Fuel injection, by contrast, is simple and direct. But back in the day carburation was the only thing, and it's amazing how well they worked. The amount of engineering that went into those "simple" devices is insane.

[@zZGzHD]

carbs were orc technology in retrospect

[@jeromethiel4323]

@@zZGzHD I know, right? Why does a carburetor work? Because we believe it does!

[@cheeseparis1]

So much electronics in new cars, in a few years your two passions will mix, repairing a vintage car will mean turning a wrench and retro-engeneer a computer. Love your videos

[@ChristopherHailey]

My dad had a 1965 Austin Healy when I was a kid, i I had noticed yours in the background on several occasions. It's great to see it in the foreground! Over the years he had also had a TR-3 and an MG-TC and later on a Mista. I know the world of SU carbs and know every Lucas joke. I love all of your computer suff, having learned on minis in the 70s. So much good stuff here!

[@benanderson89]

My parent's neighbour is a long retired mechanic, and when I used to talk cars with him he always had positive things to say about the Heely 3000 engine; easy to work on, easy to diagnose, easy to drive, easy to tune to crazy (for a 60s roadster) power. I'm jealous, man, that thing looks like so much fun! Greetz from England! ✌️

[@evmemc]

Ah, what a sound! I'd like to see more of these videos from time to time :)

[@svance23]

Thanks for featuring your Austin Healey! Seeing it in the corner of one of your videos was what first got me watching the channel. I had one very much like yours 50 or so years ago when I was in high school. I was a bit of a flake back then and I knew it. So, I gave it back to my dad and he restored it only to have it stolen soon afterward. I miss that car every day. So seeing you enjoy yours is very gratifying! Don't ever let it slip from your hands. Now I design synth modules and actually have the same scope as you have. Let's just say that I relate to what you do. I never miss an episode and I can't say that about any other YT channel. I'd like to meet you in person if you are ever in the Pacific NW.

[@a_Fax_Machine]

Man, if i lived not on the opposite side of the country, we could be friends. Cars are my first hobby, i picked up old computers only about 6 years ago. I love seeing automotive content on uour channel!

[@jrhalabamacustoms5673]

Wonderful! Sometimes you just have to climb out of the rabbit hole...

[@zyeborm]

And into another one😂

[@SeanPat1001]

I used to own a 1967 AH 3000. Thanks for the memories.

[@Joe_Rebel]

dude no way, I first started watching this channel a year or two back because of the cool vintage hardware and your great entertainment. now here you go working on cars, sweet classics at that. my two passions in one channel? you are awesome Usagi!

[@arongooch]

Vintage electronics and vintage cars, a great combination. Thanks for sharing :)

[@RosieBee463]

Nothing like perfect weather and a good ride to reset your brain!

[@VK2FVAX]

I really loved this video. I love old cars and old computers. Hope there's more need for your brain resets :) My dad owned an ex-racecar Healey 100. Hilariously it was his first car (long story). Lesson in life.. You do not give a 17yo as a first car something like this. He was brought home too many times by the WA police. Many stories. I remember dad saying that the SU's were always needing to be fiddled with, the gearbox needed rebuilding three times in the 4-5 years he owned it and the chrome on the spokes would flake off due to trying to outrun friends in other cars from a standing start. Loved watching your 3000 adventure, I've spotted it a few times in videos.

[@byteforever7829]

Sounds soooo good. Great to see a classic car video alongside the computers on the channel 👍👍

[@DavidVR2]

Another Brit here! Great to see you working on this classic car, I bet it feels fantastic to drive. Vintage Cars and Computers what a fun combination👍

[@video99couk]

I wish I had such luck (or skill). The other day I stripped down the carb on my 1972 Hillman Avenger (Plymouth Cricket) to try to diagnose why it was running intermittently, but didn't solve the problem. I had to pay someone to do it properly, he cleaned it all up internally, reset the mixture accurately, replaced a bad condenser (capacitor) and set the timing. Now it runs like new again.

[@mikekane1980]

Usagi, I feel the same way about my late mother's 1990 Miata NA. It's like a MG, but with mostly Ford electrics. Of course, I drive it and have had the bearings done, fluids replaced, and fixes for stupid maintenance mistakes from a not to be named mechanic. I do run errands with the car, and people do appreciate seeing such a car still running, going strong. It's not car show material, but it is pure fun. The battery is the only problem area with the car, but battery replacement is simple.

[@Valtra103]

I love channels that show more than one hobby

[@RussellMacShane]

I'm not a huge car guy and wasn't sure I'd even want to watch this one, but glad I did, loved every minute of it!

[@LittleDancerByGrace]

I don't know the first thing about cars, nor will I probably ever develop a passion for them, but I loved every minute of this video and would gladly watch another if you posted one. I'm also really surprised how much the Texas countryside resembles the Canadian prairies where I grew up. I miss driving through that every day (I live in a desert climate now). Thanks for taking us on a ride through that landscape.

[@Krivulda]

A little bit of car fiddling always clears up the mind. As being a vintage electronics restorer, maker of new adapters for old computers, photographer and a person with generally too much hobbies for a single being I can say I really do love the car and motorcycles repairs too. But, a little bit about the carburetors floats. The floats usually are very precisely weighed. If you solder on the float, you are pretty much guaranteed to change the weight of the float. Increase in weight decreases the buoyancy which results in the fuel level going up. That can result in fuel overflow to the cylinders making it go rich. Or it can dribble through the gaskets and make a mess. The correct way to do it would be to heat up the whole float with a heatgun or a torch and desolder it to two pieces. It's surprisingly not that hard and if you are not afraid, you can do it even when full of gas, it just takes longer for the fuel to evaporate and escape. Since the float is full of fuel and fuel vapors, it is not going to explode since there is no air to burn the fuel. Once separated, it can be cleaned from the old solder and checked thoroughly. And at the end, you can solder it back together the same way as the copper plumbing is done. That's just a FIY from a fellow repairer, you already have the new floats on the way :) Also - spark plugs are very tough, yes, but... :D The inner electrode can get damaged by the wirebrush. That makes uneven surface which makes the spark jump in a single point, wearing the spark plug down. The best way to clean it is with - again - propane torch. Just burn all the junk off and then brush the ash off with a toothbrush :D

[@nysaea]

dunno the first thing about cars but the fun you're having with them is contagious :3

[@RobertLiesenfeld]

Love this change of pace, and I can absolutely identify with the need to step away and do something as different as possible to give yourself a break. It’s like you need to let the part of your brain that’s tired get a break and cool down before you can come back with fresh perspective. Your car collection is super cool, by the way, and I envy all the shop space you have to work on stuff like this. Looking forward to the next episode no matter what the topic. I’ll be just as excited to watch the next video if it’s cars or old computers. 👍

[@thelettuceclub]

I'll be the first to admit that I don't understand half the things you talk about here, but I can tell from your enthusiasm that this means a ton to you. Also: "go-kart with licence plate" is my new favorite type of car

[@deeiks12]

Glad to see you have a great taste in cars, and i'm glad they get used and driven not just sitting.

[@thechillhacker]

Thank you for putting this together. I've been dying to see more of that pale blue beaut in your garage. I only drive classics myself, albeit American, but I totally dig that you also do vintage car hackery, and hope to see it more on your channel. And you are absolutely right. These old machines are their healthiest when you use the snot out of them and burn rubber. Keep that timing advanced your mixture just on the edge of lean and you will own every traffic light with style. Dings, chips, and surface patina are earned, and should not be removed without consideration.

[@jerroldbaker]

I enjoy all of your videos. Well done as always.

[@TheHylianBatman]

I'd still love to see a revival of Usagi Motors; these videos are so fun, and the same for me as these ones, since I don't really understand cars OR computers!

[@adrielrowley]

Thank you for sharing this Interesting the parallels. Currently doing a frame on restoration on Dad's 1964 Volkswagen Beetle he bought in 1968. I am now faced with a carburetor with a leaky needle and seat, this video is encouraging.

[@maltnz]

The gear box shift is impressive - nice and tight.

[@iGregory67]

I'm not much of a car guy -- I'm a point A to point B type -- but that smile on your face at the end made this video worth watching for me:)

[@kirkm1976]

Thank you. I've seen that Beat in the background since I first started watching and wanted a rundown of your cars. My son and I brought an 88 Supra back and seeing yor Z30's engine bay makes me never want a V6 from that era. Hats off to you for keeping it up

[@justine1816]

Absolutely brilliant. That first fishtail onto the driveway could easily have been Sean Connery in an Aston Martin. Love it. I’d also love to see more on the Honda Beat.

[@BeigeAlert]

My dad had an Austin Healey back before I was born, but it's long long long gone! He used to talk about it when I was a kid, he clearly had fond memories of it. He, and later he and mom, had a succession of weird cars, he had a DeSoto he shipped to France after the war where it was a ginormous monster vehicle compared to everything else, they had a Peugeot when I was tiny that I'm not sure I actually have any memories of, a VW Rabbit (orange!) and a VW Dasher (blue!) that I do remember. He was an aircraft mechanic in the air force and had lots of comical stories of how unreliable the old cars were and the work he had to do on them!

[@meeskees702]

Wow, you're really upping your production quality with each new video. What a great little car too!

[@braddofner]

I love this. You are just like me. I work on EVERYTHING. If it moves, beeps, buzzes, or bangs I'll get my hands into it. This was an awesome video!!

[@PoLoMoTo2]

I have to be honest, I don't know if you've had car content in past, I'm pretty new, but I was a little worried. BUT I was very pleasantly surprised this was a fantastic video. Would love to see more!

[@ostsan8598]

That initial peelout onto the driveway brought a large smile to my face. Hope you figure out those brakes.

[@rennsport7562]

Great to see the car content! I got sick of SUs and swapped to a Dellorto, haven’t had to touch it for over 10 years and it always stays in tune 🙂

[@putraadriansyah8082]

I love when computer things amd automotive things come together

[@delimitnc]

Awesome. I love when channels I love (like yours) end up covering other topics I also love! If you start doing gun videos next, I might have a stroke.

[@highpath4776]

I am not really used to the big Austin lumps , being more familier with the upto 1300cc A Series - in single and twin carb set up (and twins are a pain to balance), but the SU/exhaust rasp is just soo good going downhill in a small car , where the road holding scores more than the notional power output of the engine.

[@f.k.b.16]

Great video! I enjoy working on old electronics and cars too! So good to see your enjoyment here!

[@neillthornton1149]

As a fellow British car nerd (old Land Rovers in my case) I love it! Always funny to see how all the British manufacturers just used the same parts smashed into different form factors.

[@properjob2311]

What a beauty! Nice to see you have a British classic. Now you need a British classic computer...

[@jonord]

That smile at @18:44. Tells everything. :)

[@lachaineguitarededavid]

I always loved Healeys, they're just so cute as cars ! I really like your content ! I think you're a great person and i completely feel at home when i see someone like you doing projects like these ! Wish i was there to give a hand haha :)

[@distantblaze561]

This is the good stuff. I like these old computers even though I dont understand them- but I DO understand cars. More of this stuff, please.

[@UpLateGeek]

I got a ride in one of these many years ago, and it's so low you really feel like you're moving even when you're not going that fast. The one I got a ride in was fully restored, showroom ready, it really was a great-looking car. Sadly I never got to ride in any of the guy's other cars. He had half a dozen 1960s Porsches, most of which were equally well restored.

[@derekloudon8731]

My brother had one back in the 70s. What a beautiful beast of a car!

[@travisjones3615]

I can definitely relate as I'm also a huge fan of vintage electronics and cars. I haven't had any experience working on your specific car. But generally if your rear brake shoes aren't adjusted correctly it will make your brakes feel like garbage. This is because they usually get applied first, then the brake proportion valve kicks in and applies the front. If 2/3 of your pedal travel is used getting the rear applied your not going to have much left to stop the car.

[@UnluckyFett]

I relate as cars were a passion for me prior to electronics and there is nothing like fixing and driving an old car you love. It's more expensive but super effective therapy. I had a similar issue with brakes on a Jeep I was working on. Replaced everything, bled a gallon of fluid through the whole system, hard lines, soft lines, calipers, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, everything but the proportioning valve, still felt like garbage. A friend suggested bench bleeding the master cylinder again and that seemed to do the trick.

[@TeslaTales59]

Absolutely! You can work on classic cars of motorcycles anytime!

[@DanafoxyVixen]

I love SU carbs, they are simple to work with and I find them very reliable

[@RinoaL]

14:28 I really love that tear-out.

[@rlbf1967]

Absolutely gorgeous! The things to fix are features…

[@redgek]

Beautiful cars, beautiful story, good job and amazing video! Thank you for sharing, and good luck with further fixes! Oh and please do keep sharing your car stuff with us.

[@ernstoud]

What an amazing car. With a story to tell. Thanks for bringing us along.

[@arjovenzia]

More than happy to see more automotive shenannigans. your fleet is very much relevant to my interests. Love the sentiment that that will always be "Dads Car". My Ol boy had a Fiat 124, which as a 19 yo I absolutely never ever took out without permission for silly buggery-abouty business. no sir-ee. the breaks in that were shocking to... but an incredible ability to slap a smile on your face. Im quite sure he'd love a Healy, even for an afternoon.

[@VincentGroenewold]

I guess many tinkerers of electronics actually like a lot of different engineering, cars included. Very cool to see!

[@andrewb9830]

Yup hear you. When I need a break and do something different and manual I go wrench on the Camaro

[@JamesHalfHorse]

Nothing like a good Italian tuneup to blow out the cobwebs. Works great on the engine too. Cars, tubes, computers... we would get along just fine.

[@carsonwalker567]

Love your collection of cars (especially the Isuzu)! The Austin looks like a blast to drive!

[@JacGoudsmit]

When I hear "Single cam side draft something carburetors" I think I get a good feeling of how some other people might feel when you're talking about things like sequential startup of the power supply in the Bendix. 🙂

[@samallan6616]

As far as washing the car, I used to use the Mr. Clean wash system on my truck. Worked great! When my wife decided to buy a new car, I had to scour Ebay for one because they discontinued the product long ago. I was still able to find a system, soap, and some spare cartridges for it but they are getting very hard to find. Still works great!

[@Pulverrostmannen]

A common issue for the sneezing and coughing with these carburetors are also the rubber membrane and oil level for the vacuum pistons you see at the top with the black plastic screw head at the top of the carb, if the oil level is low or there is a hole in the rubber membrane the engine will run lean at initial throttle making the engine sneeze. these pistons are working almost like acceleration pumps and the vacuum membrane lift the pistons up during acceleration and the small oil filled cylinders makes they go slow enough for a good fuel mixture. I think these carburetors can run very good when properly tuned with new floats.

[@ActionRetro]

Man your cars are so cool

[@bobvines00]

David, great video! I really enjoyed watching you and your friend work on the carbs bringing back memories working on my own carbs. Check the slave cylinders in the rear drum brakes -- they ought to be relatively inexpensive to repair (assuming that kits are available) or replace. Let us know how you fix the brake-feel problem and the jumpy speedometer too!

[@geoffpool7476]

Fantastic Video! I've never seen an Austin Healey live.... awesome car. They just build them the same anymore. Thanks!!

[@MarcelHuguenin]

Awesome dude in an awesome car made me smile, thanks David!

[@TimGreenOwb]

We raced a couple of '84/'85 300ZX's with Chumpcar several years ago. Those 6 cylinder engines were bullet proof. We gave 'em a good workout. They even survived several missed shifts (3rd instead of 5th). They were a lot of fun.

[@alexcrouse]

My neighbor has one of these, and it's amazing. I need one.

[@bborkzilla]

Thanks for this - I've been wanting to see something done to the 'Healey!

[@John_Mack]

Love that Healey!!

[@televisionuser7154]

I love your dogs reaction to the engine starting!!! 😂

[@Rico_G]

Not many Belletts here in the States. Bravo! You need an RT55.

[@bobdole57]

I have an MGB with SU HS4 carbs. Always fun

[@RobSchofield]

I"d add: - replace all your front suspension bushes (they are shagged). The speedo will be a sticky cable: disconnect at both ends, and use a cable oiler to push some light machine oil through. The diff leak might be caused by a stuck breather valve (top of the casing) - if it's stuck, the diff will pressurize and push oil out. Nice vid, engine sounds really good.

[@jerzilla3795]

Speedo drive looks like it’s missing a gear? Love your cars man! Cool to see that theres someone else out there who loves old computers and old Japanese cars! Just like with the computers, they’re working one day, and then back to square one the next! 😂

[@weedmanwestvancouverbc9266]

I still have a few old printouts from college in the mid-80s when we used an HP 9000 mini computer I haven't been able to find very much out about this one

[@rosschamberlain1823]

Nothing like a nice break needless to say. Great video! For those who may not be aware, SU stands for Skinner's Union. They had an interesting approach to carb design.

[@gameyord7182]

So you are trying to give yourself a break and try something new? I like it!

[@onyxdeceit]

Healey 6s sound so damn good.

[@highshelfrich]

Love the 300Z! Great you have had it so long amazing.

[@your_utube]

Nice change today! Thanks!

[@LunaRayToo]

NICE! Hey, keep us updated on your car collection.

[@IanScottJohnston]

I'm in the UK: I've had so many cars from teenage years I wish I'd kept!.....Escort MKII RS2000 (two), Escort MKI 1300E, Escort Series 1 RS Turbo........the early/mid 80's were the magic years!

[@SteveHacker]

I vote for a whole separate channel called , “Usagi Garage”! … YYYESSS!!!

[@MichaelEhling]

So fun! Great diversion. Thank you.

[@Potts1966]

That Austin is such a pretty car. I love it.

[@Veso266]

I admire you You care for family haritage and take good care for everything you own And also have a very nice place with a lot of space to store your tresures I dont know who tought you this things (to not throw everything that is old away and instead try to fix it) but I realy hope u will manage to pass this good values to your ofspring

[@tstahlfsu]

SO MUCH FUN. Love these videos!!!!!

[@8bitwiz_]

[2:27] ah, those Japanese hood mirrors [10:35] the dog is getting worried

[@RBRetroBunker]

So nice yes the brain 🧠 need relaxing to. I do the same i work with my electronics and take a break with my snowmobile or my kids :) love ❤️ your channel from Sweden

[@headwerkn]

I’ve always wanted a Honda Beat. There’s a few in Australia but alas prices have risen considerably especially as they’re now importable in the USA.