So there I was, doing my 6k service...

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:02 pm

Yes his favorite BIG HAIR band

Post by **57traveller** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 2:44 pm

Be careful about getting too overzealous with the clicks Colin. For some reason a few months ago known only to my failing eyesight! I had set my Traveller's ignition timing at 17 deg. btdc. There was no pinking whatsoever on untreated unleaded but did those bottom end bearings complain. Mind you the car ran wonderfully except for the rattles of protest

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Aug 25, 2004 9:33 pm

See, I guess my timing is way out. I didn't quite sort it out when I was doing the service, but (and I know this is silly) I didn't quite get how on earth I do it. I know where the micro-adjuster is, but I couldn't see how the rest of the timing was adjusted. I also know my vaccuum advance isn't quite as good as it ought to be. Hmmm. maybe I'll look at the timing tomorrow

Post by **ColinP** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 12:19 pm

Hi,
1) set static timing - Haynes manual is quite good, but you need a 12 v bulb connected to 2 small crocodile clips (or a voltmeter). Remove spark plugs (again!). Take off the dizzy cover, and connect the crocodile clips across the points. Turn the engine with the starting handle until the notch in the fan pully is at 3 degrees BTDC - i.e. between the teeth (all of this is visible from under the front bumper). Now turn on the ignition...
If the points are closed, the bulb is unlit, if the points are open, the bulb lights. The idea is to turn the ditributor until the points just open at 3 degreed BTDC. You may need to alter the dizzy by clicks, or unbolt it and turn the whole thing, then re-adjust by clicks.
Put it all back together and try to start it....
Check everything again until it works.

Obviously only worth doing if the points gap is ok.

Colin

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 12:27 pm

Cool thanks Colin

I'm determined to get this dear old girl going like a train by the time she goes stateside:D

Nikki

Post by **Cam** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 4:34 pm

Colin, do you find 3 degrees OK? I usually find the A-series (Ital, Allegro, Minor, Mini) and the B-series (MGB) likes being around 6-8 degrees? My Ital engined Minor likes 8 degrees.

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 5:11 pm

I use 5 degrees, give or take a small error when manually moving the distributor and then recheck + set with the knurled wheel again aiming for 5 degrees. I've never had pinking so I guess I could go more advanced than that.
My white 4 door was set with this method but as I didn't fine tune it straight away ended up at 3 degrees . The car was really lacking in power (truly dreadful), so I moved the timing forward to 7 degrees and it was a major improvement.
Riley had been set heavily retarded when I bought him but it made no difference to the power (although it did cause overheating on the motorway).

Why a timing error made more difference on one car than another I have no idea but from that I can only guess that each car has to be 'fiddled' with to get optimum performance.

Post by **ColinP** » Thu Aug 26, 2004 5:45 pm

Cam,

I was actually remembering what the handbook states. Erm, I've yet to find out what it actually is .....

I'll be doing it sometime (not this week-end - we're off camping) and if I rmember , I'll start a thread.

Colin

Post by **ColinP** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 8:27 pm

Well,

Thanks 57 Traveller. There I was this Bank Holiday Week-end, motoring happily past an articulated lorry & trailer uphill (20% - whatever that is in real money) at 30mph in 3rd.
After that, the engine started running woughly, and - you guessed it - clattering big end set in shortly afterwards....

Not being blessed (cursed?) with time/facilities to swop an engine, I've appraoched our local MOT/sevice centre. His comment "oh , yeah, we can do that ... I've just thrown my old moggie engine away, oh (naughty word)".

So at least he knows what has to be done, all I have to do is find the best value (i.e. least expensive) recon...
I did try Ebay - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... eName=WDVW

That may still be an option unless someone else here is keen!
Colin

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:24 am

You just missed Custommartins engine under parts for sale.

Post by **Multiphonikks** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 11:29 am

Err, Colin,

It's a great idea to post that link... especailly if you're looking for a cheap engine

I nearly fell off my seat when I saw it... and the price... AND the turbo

*drools*

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 6:23 pm

You just missed Custommartins engine under parts for sale.

I did offer it to him - my main interest would be the head.
Yet again I've given away my castrol valvemaster with a car sale.
So £20 for a head seems not bad compared to buying yet another bottle of additive

and Evelyn's engine might be a bit past its best anyway (very hard to tell at the moment as it's not set up properly) so it might all go in as one lump.

Post by **ColinP** » Wed Sep 01, 2004 8:16 pm

And a much appreciated offer too, Ray.

It's one of the great things about this group - the way that problems are shared & helped.

I think that we'll be getting a recon unit (with an unleaded head) - so I've now got a spare bottle of valvemaster (un-opened) going spare as well.

That should see us (note the plural - I'm meaning me & the Moggie - -not "my wife & I") into the next decade without too many problems (I had a peek into the cylinders to look at the piston crowns), and I think there's something lurking there as well.

Best to All,

Colin

Post by **turbominor** » Thu Sep 02, 2004 9:54 pm

Its also surprising what a mess forgetting to put the dipstick back makes, not that I have ever done that

i can vouch for that as my old discovery used to blow the disptick out on it's own.

just done a service on turbominor and why oh why does the ital a+ have the oil filter upside down so it poors every where

Post by **Cam** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 11:57 am

turbominor wrote:
just done a service on turbominor and why oh why does the ital a+ have the oil filter upside down so it poors every where

Ha ha!! Yes, good isn't it!!

Dribbles right down between the block and the starter motor so you can't clean it off!!!

I suppose it was to save money on the external piping needed.

It IS easier though to prime an oil pump as you just remove the filter and pour oil down the hole.........

Post by **rayofleamington** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 12:26 pm

It IS easier though to prime an oil pump as you just remove the filter and pour oil down the hole.........

probably not easy to prime the oil filter though
(unless you use one of those universal car rollers

)

Post by **turbominor** » Fri Sep 03, 2004 1:43 pm

(unless you use one of those universal car rollers )

i knew they had a use

Post by **iwant1** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 9:26 pm

Where abouts can i get one of those throw away oil filter canister kits from, and about how much do they cost?

Post by **rayofleamington** » Wed Sep 29, 2004 9:53 pm

£25.85 + p&p from B.Ham moggy centre
£24.95 + p&p from Bull Motif (incl filter)