Can't get it to run sweetly - help!

[super trimbo]

Hi All

After a recent breakdown diagnosed head gasket had gone from emulsion around rad cap/oil cap. Replaced Head Gasket, thought i may as well do a timing chain at the same time.

Have checked, double checked and triple checked the timing markers, each plug,Leads, points, condenser, dizzy cap and tested after each replacement part.

The car will run, but runs of 3 then 4 then 3 , it won't rev up it just dies and it's now expelling black smoke from the exhaust too.

Have tried altering mixture on carb too - No Joy.

Ideas?

Thanks

[mogbob]

If it is switching from 3 to four cylinders ( firing ) and back again, it is likely to be an HT lead/ connection to one of the spark plugs.
When one cylinder doesn't fire there is unburnt fuel left behind, the black smoke will be extra fuel burning, when the spark fires again eventually.
Is there one lead that makes no difference to the running when you leave a lead off ? That will identify the " culprit " lead.
Examine the leads again, checking that they are firmly fixed at both ends, spark and distributer cap.Check contact points in the cap are clean.Do the spark lead ends make a solid click when they slip over the spark plug or is the connection
" sloppy ". Is the earthtag in the distributer making a sound connection ?
Give it a go and report back if you make no progress for some further inspiration from others on the Forum.
Good luck
Bob

[bmcecosse]

Was the head gasket actually blown?? And have you re-set the valve gaps correctly after refitting the head? Are you sure the plug leads are on correct order? 1342 ant-clock round the dizzy cap.....

[super trimbo]

turned out to be the carb swapped it for one i'd rebuilt, runs lovely

[bmcecosse]