tappets and black plugs

[moggiethouable]

12 thou and 15 thou inlets and outlets respectively have produced a much more settled engine (thanks BMC Ecosse)
All the clearances had been set at 12 thou by the previous mechanic/owner.
Except one, Valve 7 was around 18 thou for some reason.
Anyway, the plugs are showing up as black, is this a rich mixture or should I wait a while now the tappets are set?
There is thin blackish water at the exhaust on start up, but it disappears very quickly and there is no oil spitting from the exhaust pipe, so I dont feel concerned about oil carry over from worn rings.
Any thoughts?

[54woody]

Hopefully not too stupid of a question...

Working from the front of the engine to the back, would I be correct that the valves are: clinder 1 exhaust, inlet; cylinder 2 inlet, exhaust; cylinder 3 exhaust, inlet; cylinder 4 inlet exhaust?

[moggiethouable]

I dont think thats a stupid question at all, as its not immediately obvious where they are and the Leyland manual does not impart said gem of information.
If you look closely at the manifolds however, inlet and exhaust, you can see where the tappets and therefore the valves align with their respective holes, (with the rocker box cover off.)
So yes, your presumed order of valveing is in my considered opinion hunky dory.
Are you thinking of setting the tappets?

[bmcecosse]

Correct order - and yes - black plugs = rich mix. First check - is the air filter element clean - not covered in oil.... Then weaken the mix by turning the nut blow the carb up a few flats - and take the car out for a good thrash..... And then look at the plugs again.

[moggiethouable]

Thanks for that.
Air filter is nice and dry and recently changed when I serviced the engine.
The old filter was similarly dry but thoroughly dusty and old.
I shall try this at the weekend.
A good Friday indeed.

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

Check your fuel consumption figure.

It is useless adjusting the carb unless everthing else in good tune, ie points and plugs clean and gapped, timing set correctly, air filter clean etc.

First of all check there is some free space at the choke control screw and the actuating part.

Adjust the idle speed at the carb with the throttle adjusting screw.

Turn the jet adjusting nut down to richen, upwards to weaken, revving in between adjustments which should be no more than 1 flat of the nut at a time.

Err on the side of rich but check your fuel consumption which will clearly show if you are using too much petrol. The plug's electrodes should be grey in colour, and can be sooty round the screw threads.