NEW July 2023:  We are now able to offer these copper floats - to fit original Amal carburettors fitted with the Type 14 Float chamber - this include roadgoing Amal Type 76, 276 and 289 carburettors and competition Amal TT and RN carburettors.  These floats are manufactured in the same style as original Amal floats - with two spun copper halfs, soldered in the middle - and a brass tube running through the centre of a float, with a 'press spring' at the top.  See detail listing for more information. 

Price is Each

Carb Type Fitted To:

These floats are intended for 'Type 14' Amal Float Chambers - i.e. carburettors with seperate float chambers - pre-Monobloc.  For roadgoing models - Type 14 floatchambers were fitted to a variety of Amal carburettors - but predominantly Type 76, Type 276 and Type 289 carburettors (as fitted to most roadgoing Norton OHV and SV models from the 1930's through to the mid 1950's, as well as many other marques)

The same style of float were also fitted to most Amal TT and Amal RN competition carburettors, as well as Type 29 Track carbs.  Earlier Amal TT/RN carbs (normally pre-war) used a brass bodied float chamber - with the smaller Type 14 needle, also used on road going floats (our Item 0161), while later competition models used the alloy floatchamber with larger conical float needle (our item 0613).  However both varieties of float chambers used this type of copper float. 

See also the line drawing of the 1948 Norton Catalog which shows Type 276 road carb, Amal TT on the Norton International (using smaller Type 14 needle), and Amal RN fitted to the Manx Models (using larger float needle) - all employing this style of Type 14 Float.

Please note that some later original Amal TT and RN floats had an additional small hole drilled cross-wise in the top of the brass centre tube, between the top and bottom of the steel top spring - this was to allow the added security of a split pin on highly stressed racing models on long races.  We do not try an replicate this on our floats

Background and Manufacture:

These floats are manufactured in the same way as the original Amal Type 14 Floats - and in one of the photos is a picture of our float alongside a genuine 'New Old Stock' Amal float from the 1950's/60's as a comparison.  As you can see the general construction is the same - the copper float is manufactured in two halfs - with a lipped seam in the middle.  There is also a brass tube running through the centre of the float, which sticks proud of the copper float, and which a (spring steel) needle spring fits over.  Finally a small brass rib fits over the spring and brass tube, and is soldered to the top of the copper float, to ensure the spring is retained.  All this is replicated from the original float design.

We are currently making these floats in small batch's - and each float has a float needle fitted after manufacture, to ensure it sits at the same height as original.  We also 'Leak' test each float in a tank of water after soldering - where it is left for a number of hours, to ensure it does not leak.

Final Note:

The process to manufacture and solder these floats is extremely labour intensive and time consuming - the soldering process is done by hand, and has taken a considerable time to find the most efficient method (as well as having 'written off' numerous trial floats in setting this up!).  Although each float is cleaned and lightly linished after soldering (as per the photos) - it is inevitable that they may have tiny soldering or manufacturing marks or the slightest of flats in places . . . this is almost inevitable in the manual process of soldering up, but we do our very best to ensure each is as close to perfect, and is of course rejected if dented or leaking.

Please bear this in mind when ordering - but remember we give a full money back guarantee if not satisfied (other than postage) - providing not fitted to a carb, and returned in the original packaging as sent.

Finally - we are only making these floats in small quantities, and may not always have them in stock.  If this is the case (the Stock bar will show in RED if out of stock), you can email on sales@racingvincent.co.uk - if you are less fussy, as we do have a small quantity of rejected '2n'ds' - these will be fully functional, but are likely to have a small cosmetic fault - i.e. we have found the spun copper float dents extremely easily - just as originals did!

This is the topfeed banjo used on Amal Type 302 floatchambers (used from the late 1940's), that allows the float chamber to be remote mounted (i.e. to the top frame rail or similar).

This item is drilled and tapped in its centre which provides the means to remote mount them. As with our other banjo nuts, they are patterned on the original design in brass, then satin nickel plated and are very nice quality, UK manufactured.

Price is Each

We also sell a high quality red fibre washer to fit these banjo nuts (two normally required - one above and one below the banjo) - which is item 0165

Float needle to fit the Amal 276 type floatchambers and the early (mainly pre-war) type floatchamber.  Note: these float needles are of modified design to the original, with two grooves - which allows them to be used with the orginal copper floats (which use the groove furthest away from the cone) and the modern plastic type floats (which use the lower groove, closest to the cone)

Background: Amal TT (and RN) carburettors are more commonly fitted with Type 14 alloy TT floatchamber, which is identifiable by having a large Hex bottom feed/banjo, and used a different (wider at the base of the conical section) float needle to the one shown here.  To look at a float chamber of that later type - see our Item 0163.

However, earier TT carburettor's, particularly many of those fitted to SOHC Norton models pre-war used the earlier TT type float chamber, which was similar in build to the Amal 276 float chamber (road not racing), and both of these used the float needle shown here.  If you are unsure - the widest part of the cone for this needl2 is @0.222" diameter at the widest part of the cone.  The later competition type TT/RN floatchambers (normally in alloy) are wider than this - and are sold as item 0161.

This needle was also fitted to the road type Amal 276 float chamber, which used the standard pewter type alloy and had 'Amal' logo cast onto its body.  The pre-war type Amal TT float chamber was a different material, and did not have the 'Amal' logo on it.  In the accompanying last photograph is a picture of two original float chambers - on the left is a standard Amal 276 float chamber, with 'Amal' cast in side, on the right is a genuine early TT float chamber - which is different material to the 276 type.  As can be seen though, both types use the same bottom union and this type of float needle (note the banjo of the TT carb is of smaller centre diameter than the later TT Type 14 float chamber shown in Item listing 161).

4 part tickler kit to fit original Amal TT, RN and Type 276/289 (standard size) float chambers. This float tickler fits the standard screw in (Type 76) floatchamber top - and is CNC machined by us to the original tickler design and dimensions. 

As can be seen from the photos, these tickler kits consist of the tickler pin, a small lock ring (which fits under the float chamber lid, a tickler spring and a split pin.  An original Amal tickler mechanism was used as the the template and dimensions of our items are identical. 

Original ticklers on all Amal floatchambers were of this design from approximately the late 1920's through to the introduction of the Monoblock - and on well used carbs can be heavily worn, like the one shown in the photo here - and when worn often wobble about, or completely shear and drop out.

Our tickler pin and collar are CNC machined in brass, then satin nickel plated- as per the original design . . . and look very pretty.  We have also had the correct original spring design replicated, and the result is a float tickler that - once fitted -  gives a nice firm fit, and a very satisfying 'tickle' . . . i.e. not wobbling about like worn originals, and the correct spring ensures it is fully tensioned (unlike many original springs which have rusted or worn and lost their tension.

I have seen other 'tickler' kits availble in the past - but most use just a washer to secure the tickler pin to the top . . . ours use the correct stepped collar which holds firmly and evenly to the base of the floatchamber top - a small but important part of the design.  

The accompanying photos shows the two most common Amal floatchamber top that these tickler assemblies were fitted to - the most common type being the cast pewter type, with'Amal' cast in, and the earlier pre-war chromed type . . . these tickler kits fit both types.

Note - we also manufacture a similar tickler set to fit the later (larger capacity) Amal RN/GP Type 302 float chamber, which has a longer tickler shaft - See Item 0174

4 part tickler kit to fit original Amal 302 Floatchambers - as fitted to Amal RN and GP carbs from the late 1940's through to the early 1960's.  This float tickler design is very similar to the type fitted to most Amal 276/289, TT, and RN floatchambers - but for this larger capacity racing Type 302 type floatchamber - a longer shaft was required, as the tops were quite different. As with the other type we supply to fit standard floatchambers (Item 0162), an original Amal Type 302 float tickler was used as a pattern, and our components match the originals exactly, and are CNC machined.

As can be seen from the photos, these tickler kits consist of the tickler pin, a small lock ring (which fits under the float chamber lid - and again is to the original design, a tickler spring and a split pin.  An original Type 302 Floatchamber tickler assembly was used as the pattern for our items, which are CNC manufactured in brass, then satin nickel platerd, as per originals.  This longer type of tickler design is now very hard to find and often missing or worn in original flaot chambers.

In case you are not sure if your floatchamber tickler is of this 302 type - the overall length of the tickler shaft is 32.4mm, while the standard tickler shaft (our item 0162) is 27.7mm 

Note - we also manufacture a similar tickler set to fit standard design and size float chambers (i.e. Type 276/289, TT and early RN carbs), which has a shorter tickler shaft - See Item 0162

- This lock screw is an exact copy of the type fitted to most types of Amal floatchamber screw covers - i.e those floatchambers fitted to Type 276, TT, RN or Dirt Track Carburettors - in fact almost all Amal float chambers that have a screw in top.  

This lock screw is CNC manufactured in stainless steel, with exactly the same distinctive profile curve to the head as the original (the hex flats are milled to the original dimensions, as this size of imperial hex is now difficult to obtain). Being stainless, as well as looking nice, it does not corrode - which the originals were prone to do.

Note on operation:  Although reasonably obvious, it is worth pointing out that the purpose of this lockscrew was to stop the screw in floatchamber top from vibrating loose in use.  The idea being that after screwing on the floatchamber top, this lockscrew was then fully tightened down and it just 'bit' into the top rim of the floatchamber to lock the top.  

If you are removing the top of a floatchamber for the first time to replace this lockscrew or check the float - it is worth remembering this, and unscrew this lockscrew first slightly.  I know I have forgot to do this myself in the past! (as well as stripping) numerous carbs in the past where it was not fully screwed in and locked down.  When fully tightened down, just the bottom of the thread protrudes past the under lip of the floatchamber screw top, and the ring/lip on the lockscrew goes fully into the counterbore on the top of the floatchamber screw top 

This is the base plug as fitted to the bottom of (non-remote type) alloy floatchambers on Amal TT and RN carburettors.  CNC manufactured in stainless steel.  Comes with correct imperial red fibre washer 

This distinctive shouldered base plug was of the type fitted to the Amal TT and RN (non-remote type) floatchambers from the late 1930's through to the end of Amal TT carb production.  It is worth noting the very early Amal TT non-remote floatchamber (i.e. early - to mid 1930s) was fitted with a different (non-shouldered) base plug, which we also sell - Item 0848, so if you are not sure what type yours is - check the photographs in this and the 0848 item listing.

The purpose of this base plug was to allow for the cross-drilling of the petrol delivery from float chamber to carb in manufacture - therefore as this is to fit a racing carburettor - its thread diameter is larger than the early TT and Amal 276 type base plug's, as the petrol bore hole is a larger diameter than other float chamber types.  Note, we also sell the road going Amal 276 type base plug - Item 0847.

Unlike the other two floatchamber base plug types, this version was originally manufactured with a lip, to ensure a good seat on the floatchamber casting - this item is an exact copy, an original base plug having being used as a pattern.  It is CNC machined in stainless steel, with the hex being milled as per original imperial hex dimension.  It comes complete with correct dimension imperial red fibre washer, which sits flush with the shoulder.

Final point - although only a small component, these base plugs appear in a very visible position close to the timing side of most engines, and originals are nearly always corroded or chewed (they rarely need to be removed, and are normally locked up if you try to take them out).  Therefore, I have found replacing the original corroded item with this very pretty version can make a bigger cosmetic difference than would have been expected 

This is the base plug as fitted to the bottom of floatchambers on early type (early to mid 1930's?) Amal TT Floatchambers - it may also have been fitted to other Amal model types using seperate floatchambers - see detail listing for more background.  CNC manufactured in stainless steel.  Comes with correct imperial red fibre washer.

This version is CNC manufactured using an original early TT 15 degree (i.e. 1930's Norton International) floatchamber base plug as a pattern, and includes the distinctive curved head and imperial hex the original had (and as imperial hex is now difficult to obtain - this version has milled flats from round bar).

If you are not sure if your floatchamber is originally for a 276/289 roadgoing carb, or a TT type - the 276/289 floatchamber normally had 'AMAL' cast into the floatchamber body - and were of a grey pewter alloy material, while the TT floatchambers (that I have seen) did not have any words cast in the body and were normally of alloy material - see the photograph in this listing

This particular style of base plug looks visibly identical to the type fitted to most roadgoing Amal Type 276 or 289 floatchambers - but its identifying feature is that the thread diameter on this plug screw is 7/32" - i.e. if you measure the diameter of the thread with a digital caliper, it will be somewhere around 0.205", as in the accompanying photograph.   The more common Amal 276/289 floatchamber looks the same, but the thread diameter on that floatchamber is bigger - 1/4".

I have to say - when I came to check this Amal TT base plug screw I was suprised to find it was different to the 276 type - particularly as it is a smaller bore than the 276 type, I would have expected it to be the other way round with a competition carburettor - but there were many different sub-models made over the years - i.e. TT27, TT34, TT38 (number signifying year change) - so please check your screw before ordering - if you have a larger diameter thread, then we also provide item 0847 with a 1/4" OD thread and the later TT type lipped nut with 5/16" thread - item 0846

Final point - although only a small component, these base plugs appear in a very visible position close to the timing side of most engines, and originals are nearly always corroded or chewed (they rarely need to be removed, and are normally locked up if you try to take them out).  Therefore, I have found replacing the original corroded item with this very pretty version can make a bigger cosmetic difference than would have been expected.  Final photograph is of a 1930's TT carb fitted to my 1937 Norton Inter with the screw fitted

Distinctive leaf spring that fits against Knurled pilot needle on Amal TT, RN and GP carburettors

These leaf springs fit both the early pre-war and later 'straight knurl' type pilot jets (which we also sell - Item 0154 for TT and RN carbs, Item 0293 for GP carbs) and ensure they do not come loose or change adjustment in competition through vibration.  Originals are often missing or in poor condition.  These have been specially made by us in black finished spring steel and identical to the original pattern.

In the accompanying photographs you can see two Amal RN carburettors (long neck versions as originally fitted to Manx Nortons) - the carb on the left is fitted with the earlier (pre-war style) pilot adjuster and the carb on teh right shows the later 'straight knurl' type adjuster fitted to later TT/RN carbs and GP carbls . . . all are fitted with the spring sold here.

We keep these sprayed in Duck Oil to prevent rusting in storage - sorry not cheap, but the pattern work to have these springs made was not cheap!

Tufnol spacer flange to fit between cylinder head and 'flange' type carburettors - i.e. Amal TT/RN, Monobloc and Concentric carbs.  This listing is for a 28mm bore spacer, 6mm wide.  

These 6mm thick tufnol type spacer flanges were a common fitment on many models fitted with Amal flange fitting carbs.  We keep two bore sizes in stock:

- 28mm bore - which equates to 1.102" in imperial size and very similar to the 1 3/32" (1.093") bore fitted to many Norton 350cc SOHC models (this Item listing 0844a)

- 30mm bore - which equates to 1.181" in imperial size and is somewhere between the 1 5/32" (1.156") bore and 1 3/16" (1.1875") large bore TT carbs, commonly fitted to 500cc Norton racing singles - for this see Item Listing 0844b.

These spacers are 2.00" between stud centres.

Note: We can also supply 22mm, 24mm, 26mm and 32mm bore spacers by special order, as well as 3mm thick tufnell spacers - email us at sales@racingvincent.co.uk to enquire.

If fitting to other racing carbs - please note, these spacers are approx 2.00" between stud centres.  Although not an expert on GP carbs - I think some of the larger bore Amal GP carbs were larger than this, therefore these spacers will not fit those carbs.

Note on Amal TT and RN carbs fitted to Norton SOHC models:  the flange spacers shown in these photographs are alongside an original Amal RN 'Longneck' carburettor - for comparison purposes only.  Norton SOHC models fitted with TT or RN carburettors were always supplied with the 'Long Neck' variety.  There was also a far more common 'short neck' version of both carb types, and this is often fitted to Norton SOHC models - as the long neck type are comparitively rare.  It is not uncommon for those that do not have a long neck available to fit a short neck type - but to get the original 'tuned length', it is advisable to fit an (approx) 1" thick spacer between carb and head.  I have done this myself on at least one Norton I have.  Sorry, but we cannot supply spacers of that diameter, but occasionally they can be found at autojumbles - or the long way is to buy a block of ally and machine/hacksaw yourself!