Non Starter

Post by **fweddy** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:33 am

Just had my head reconditioned and valves done etc. have put every thing back together but it won't fire.

Seem to have spark at the dizzy but not at plugs. I've done the timing chain recently so the timing may be a bit of an issue. It has been running (of sorts) since timing chain.

I've checked firing order etc, Have now loosened the dizzy in order to set timing better, might whip rocker cover off and make sure that's as right as I can get it. Timing shouldn't be critical as it was running before head off.

Seems to be getting everything from carby side of things. No spluttering etc just no firing.

Battery worn down, on charge over night - ready to try again tomorrow or weekend with some added advice.

BTW shouldd out do any V8 when done.

• Head planed (higher compression

)
• Larger exhaust valves (better breathing)
• Slighty firmer exhaust valve springs (quicker action)
• Tight timing chain (more accurate timing)
• Timing will be set better (enhanced performance)
• Thermostat replaced (cooler running)
• Radiator recently flushed (enhanced cooling)

So that's 6 enhancements then with each assisting each other to multiply the effect... hmmmm - any way its still a std 1098

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:36 am

Seem to have spark at the dizzy but not at plugs.

I think you've already answered the question. no spark at the plugs = no firing.
You need to check/fix the HT electrics downstream of the coil to get a spark. (Leads, dizzy cap, rotor arm, plugs)

Post by **fweddy** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:43 am

yeah the spark gets as far as dizzy - nice spark there, (I haven't tested that there is no spark at the plugs, but obviously there is nothing sparking as there is no firing)

I figure it must be between the points and the plug - does that make sense?

One would tend to think that since all four are not firing it would either be timing or something else before the split to the four leads???

Post by **ColinP** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:53 am

Hmm,

Check the rotor arm alignment - I'm told it's easy to re-install it 180 degrees out.

Check, rotor arm meets the carbon brush in the dizzy cap.

Colin

Post by **fweddy** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 11:57 am

Check the rotor arm alignment - I'm told it's easy to re-install it 180 degrees out.

Hasn't been off since last runing - still will aware of that

Check, rotor arm meets the carbon brush in the dizzy cap.

again shouldn'd be an issue since was running and everything down that way is unchanged - but these querks pop up at random times

Thanks for your thoughts - all useful

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:00 pm

yeah the spark gets as far as dizzy - nice spark there, (I haven't tested that there is no spark at the plugs, but obviously there is nothing sparking as there is no firing)

Ah - well that may be different. First thing to check is if you get a spark at the plugs.
If not - do as mentioned (including to check that the rotor arm is pointing towards #1 lead when #1 cylinder is at the top of the compression stroke --> checked by putting your finger in the spark plug hole and rotate until air hisses out, then continue rotating to TDC)

Post by **fweddy** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:03 pm

rotating to TDC

???

Post by **rayofleamington** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 12:16 pm

tDC = top dead centre (common abbreviation in manuals etc..)

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:15 pm

Is the fuel pump ticking away - fuel coming up to the carb ok ? Test for spark actually at the plug - if so, advance the timing until it kicks back against the starter - then retard it slightly. It WILL start ! Or have you just flooded it ? Why bigger ex valves- unusual mod ?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:20 pm

Bleedin obvious I know - but are the spark plugs lead on in the correct order ? Dizzy goes round anti-clock in the UK - maybe (like bathwater) it goes the other way in NZ ??? Firing order (in UK) is 3421.

Post by **Cam** » Thu Apr 07, 2005 1:32 pm

maybe (like bathwater) it goes the other way in NZ ???

Firing order (in UK) is 3421.

Or more conventionally written: 1342

Post by **fweddy** » Fri Apr 08, 2005 2:08 am

tDC = top dead centre (common abbreviation in manuals etc..)

ahh - ta makes sense

Is the fuel pump ticking away - fuel coming up to the carb ok ?

Yip happy there - of course it had to pump it all up after having he head, carby etc off

Or have you just flooded it ?

Did consider that but, don't think it was the issue. - not acting like a flooded one.

Why bigger ex valves- unusual mod ?

The exhaust valves had been reground a number of times and the valves themselves were worn so we needed over size valves ti rebed them nicely. I had a marina head to pulled them out of there. Also used the Marina springs. Inlet still in good order so retained them. Now inlet and outlet are roughly the same size (1.25"?)

Are the spark plugs lead on in the correct order ? Dizzy goes round anti-clock in the UK - maybe (like bathwater) it goes the other way in NZ ??? Firing order (in UK) is 3421.

I checked the order on the exhaust manifold and it reads the same as UK - 1342. If we drove on the other side of the road I might consider reversing the order - or fitting the dizzy to the other side of the engine.

It WILL start !

Too right it will - one way or tuther!

Post by **fweddy** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 1:48 am

Botherations - I have a spark at the plugs - not the biggest and brightest but one that will do something. When 4 is rocking (1 firing) I have set the rotor to 1 and the points are just opening. Still no go.

Timing won't be perfect but still should get something I thought - I'm not totally familiar with this side of things.

When I shimmy underneath to look at the timing marks on the timing cover and pully they are quite a bit out of line when 4 is rocking - what's likely, is my cam and crank gears out a tooth or so? If the points are opening, rotor at 1, and 4 is rocking, can it be out? Also the vehicle was running after timing chain was replaced so should I not at least have something?

Hopefully I'll have it running by the time you are all out of bed - but we'll see. . .

Post by **fweddy** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 8:45 am

One Tooth out!

I tried a number of options but without sucess, I finally got it firing one offs, but nothing to make it run. Finally Dad towed me around the paddock with the farm bike for a tow start. It was intermittently firing but not running. If I put my foot down when it did fire it shot it forward more - obviously getting fuel and spark but timing out!

Took the radiator and all that stuff out and the cam and crank were out by one tooth. put it back together and it started up straight away

Had a noisey tappet so I reset them, still a bit noisey so needs a bit more attention. Also not running smooth so now I need to set the timing finely. Thank for your inputs.