Poor Starting

[Matt]

Freemog really doesnt start well

20 odd secs of cranking from cold and it might catch once... it will then normally start...

Starts fine when its warm

I cant see anything wrong, timing, mixture, points gap all seem to be right...

any ideas what else I should be looking at?

[picky]

maybe the starter is not earthed well?? check the engine earthing strap is in good condition. Also maybe the starter itself is on hte way out. I think they are only about £20 for a recon unit.

[rayofleamington]

I cant see anything wrong, timing, mixture, points gap all seem to be right...

Have you replaced points, condenser plugs etc..? (all the stuff that comes in a service kit). If they are all new, try the old ones. If they are all old, try new ones!
If the electrics are in good nick, this only leaves the carb to worry about - lack of decent choke action will make it a read sod to start!

I had a problem with a friends Fiesta about 2 years ago - took me AGES to start it. Only afterwards did I realise it was manual choke

[Matt]

It turns over fast enough!

Prehaps I should replace all the stuff in a full service kit! Also someone suggested an iffy coil (im thinking it it a ballasted coil....)

[rayofleamington]

A ballasted coil would not affect starting unless it is faulty - they are designed to give a stronger spark at 12V (and after starting they are switched down to 9v). They tend to burn out if used without the ballast switching (ie if you run them at permanent 12v)

In this cold and damp weather you have got your work cut out, and might have to swap everything including HT leads to find out what's what

[Matt]

I took the dizzy out to replace the vacuum unit and roughly reset the timing... replaced the plugs and it started without any problems

[bmcecosse]

Success !