Most 541's have an Austin DS5 engine, which on the 1950's Interceptor breathed through one asthmatic carburetter. When the engine was fitted to the 541, a lower bonnet line meant it had to be modified with triple SU carburetters. Facing the open bonnet, they are on the right hand side of the engine.
On the introduction of the 541R, a change was made to twin SUs on the left side of the DS7 engine, as part of a major
revision of the engine.
After only a few units were supplied, Austin stopped making them and the layout for the remaining 541R and 541S models was back to triples on the right.
Rather than fit a conventional choke acting on the main carb, the 541s were supplied with a thermocarb as used by Jaguar. In the Jaguars the choke was automatic which gained it a poor reliability reputation - in the 541 it was operated by a pull switch on the dash and seems failsafe. Operating the switch supplies energy to a small vertical solenoid - looking like a black version of the main SU body. This lifts a plunger which admits extra fuel directly into the body of the carb, bypassing the usual Jet metering. The extra fuel thus supplied burns well from cold, although rather smokily and with a distinctive "hissing" noise. The carb should then be turned off before moving away.
Carb spec:
S.U. H4 thermo triple carburettors. (AUC 994)
Joined on a common manifold.
S.U. "Thermocarb" auxilliary starting carburettor fitted.
Technical Description of SU: http://www.sucarb.co.uk/TechnicalDetail.aspx?id=89
Link to Burlen, inheritors of SU carb company: http://www.sucarb.co.uk/
** October 2009 - Limited stock fully rebuilt item available from Burlen.
£579 plus VAT exchange or
£1158 plus VAT outright!
Not cheap, but isn't it great that it is at least available!
Make: Jensen
Model: 541 'S' 6 Cyl Specification Number: AUC 994 (Pictured below)
Year: 1960-63 Carburetter Type: Triple H4TH
[If no image is seen, the item has probably sold]
http://www.sucarb.co.uk/Restoration.aspx?id=32
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