Throttling the V8

[Carslil Jim]

Hi,
I hear that the V8s were delivered with a constrictor plate on the inlet manifold to restrict the power because the brakes were not that flash. Is there any truth in the rumour? Has anyone removed the plates?

My V8 is weak as although timing is right etc and I am wondering if this might be the story?

[PhilipA]

Look under the carbs at the gasket face to the inlet manifold.
AFAIR there were 2 types . One was just a smaller hole and one had dragons teeth all around.
Regards Philip A
PS they were always weak. I remember driving a five speed in Saudi and I had to change back to 4th to maintain about 110 into a headwind. The brick ****house aerodynamics come into play.

[cripesamighty]

Definitely true. They were not present in the RRC's though.

[Dervish]

I thought it was only the Stage One V8s (drum brakes all round) that had the restrictor, 110s dodged them as they had disk front ends.

[PhilipA]

I thought it was only the Stage One V8s (drum brakes all round) that had the restrictor, 110s dodged them as they had disk front ends

You may be correct, however I believe the Defenders had the dragons teeth also, but as an aid to slow running . But I think they also restricted flow a bit, sort of like a simple Hiclone.LOL.
In either case I believe they would be long gone by now.
The gutlessness is part normal, but may be from leaking head gaskets , worn cam ,low compression and other signs of old age.
Regards Philip A