rather slow moggy

[izzi]

Hi,
What about connecting a negative lead direct from the battery to the engine.
Also disconnect the alternator, it may have fault.
Did you previously mention the voltage regulater was not reading properly.

We may have a few faults, I would go for battery power first.
The battery should be so full of life, ( something must be wrong with it, ) is it guaranteed or even the correct type.This could even be a starter motor problem.

I would say that the battery should turn the engine over really fast for quite a long time. If not sort that problem out first.

I also believe that the prevous owner knows about this problem, any chance of contacting them.

Keep up the good work.

Roy

[onion]

Well, manifold nuts were loose, and so was the cable from solenoid to starter motor. Tightened them up and she started and idled without help (only stopping when I turned the key). She did seem a bit slow idle, but thats better than no idle.

tried again and dead battery

Roy, I haven't done anything to the voltage regulator.
Tried the previous owner and he said he didn't know about the problem as he hadn't had the car long, only getting it as a project for him and his son that his son didn't want.

[bmcecosse]

So - the problem was loose manifold.. I'm confused why the manifold was loose when all you were doing was a head gasket change ! Then - you say 'alternator' and 'voltage regulator' - it won't have both..... Is it a dynamo - or an alternator?

[chesney]

Told you so!

[bmcecosse]

The manifold nuts should never have been touched in a 'head gasket' change.

[izzi]

Hi,
There must be something wrong with the battery or its ancillaries.

Is it possible to supply some photos around the dizzy etc;

Roy.

[onion]

I was under the impression you took the manifold off to take the head off?

Well I was told it had an alternator when I got it, but it definitely has a voltage regulator, and yes it is a dynamo, sorry for my stupidity. I'm starting to think the person I bought it from knew about as much as me.

Almost certain the battery is faulty, I charged it up to full green on the battery tester, came back after lunch (having not even put it back in the car) and it had dropped to amber :/

Dizzy[frame][/frame]Inside the dizzy[frame][/frame]

If any other views might be helpful, let me know.

[chesney]

Well A - Try another battery (if you can ) and B - I think a common test to see if the dynamo works is to 'run it as a motor' but I'm not sure what connects to what. Is your car negative earth? I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give proper advice

[onion]

-ve earth, yeh.

Don't have a spare battery :/ But I can try running the dynamo as a motor, that should be fairly simple.

[bmcecosse]

The manifold stays on the head for a simple head gasket change - just lift the carb off (cables all still connected ) and lay it aside. Take off the exhaust clamp - undo the head nuts and lift the head off..complete with manifold. Reverse the procedure to refit...... You have a 948 GOLD SEAL engine -with a dynamo. It runs now - does the red IGN light go out? And the orange OIL light - it goes out too? I mentioned earlier that I suspect your IGN and OIL lamps are mixed up in the speedo. No big deal - as long as they BOTH go out. Now - run the engine at a fast idle, and tell us the voltage at the battery. Then repeat with headlights and heater switched ON - what's the voltage now?

[izzi]

Photos are very good,may need some from carb etc;
I think bmcecosse may spot something better than myself,
Gold seal engine should be quite good, The black electrical tape shown could be covering a faulty wire.
The new plug leads did appear to be clustered,was there a wire a bit to close or wrapped round a plug lead.

Be carfull with the battery guarantee as they sometimes try to blame the car electrics.
Please try to use another battery that you can borrow.
I shall take a closer look later on, might be a good Idea to send more photos as a fault may show itself.

You are getting there.

Roy

[onion]

I'll make sure to do it that way next time I change the HG.
you were right about the bulbs. I've switched them now, but the Ignition light isn't going off now (oil does).
I'll have to wait for the battery to charge up again, but when it does I'll check the voltage.

I've removed at least 3 rolls of LX tape already, but it's possible that it holds faulty wiring. no wires wrapped around or, as far as I can tell, touching the HT leads.
Yeah, I know they can be weird about battery warranties, but tis worth a try. I'll try to borrow a battery off someone and try that.
Carb[frame][/frame]

does it being Gold Seal make a big difference?

[bmcecosse]

Oh YES! It's the envy of us all!!! So- now the IGN light doesn't go out - have you swapped the battery polarity round at any point? And - that's a very restrictive air cleaner assembly you have on the carb....... That's nothing to do with the present problem - but should be sorted out in time.

[izzi]

These photos are getting even better. good,
I am getting paranoid with seeing insulating tape everywhere, there should be no need for tape to be near a carb, petrol will make the tape useless,hence air leaks etc; and even a bit of tape getting into the carb and blocking the works.
I now believe that this carb needs attention.

You seem to have a few electrical and fuel hi ups which can be sorted out.

Sorry to be a pain, but more photos of different sides & under of carb with air filter removed + engine and battery areas may help.

Roy.

[bmcecosse]

Worry only about the not charging for now........ One thing at a time. The carb is fine - don't mess with anything else.

[izzi]

I agree,one thing at a time,

Sometimes I jump the gun, its just getting excited to a speedy and happy ending.

(mind you I better go to specsavers because that carb looked weird )

Roy.

[MarkyB]

Both connections for the vacuum advance seem to have been bodged up.
If the aren't connecting properly the engine will run but lack power.

[bmcecosse]

Lets just get it charging first......

[tomas.geoghegan]

To moggithousand's good advice I will add that you may also get a stink in the car of exhaust fumes, and that Gun Gum is a good exhaust sealer when applied properly.

Never Bodge with Gum Gum Fix it Properly.
Tomas

[JOWETTJAVELIN]

You need Gun Gum for a gas-tight manifold seal.