Morris Minor Owners Club

Revs drop is fine - it's doing what it should. It won't be the exhaust - but a dirty filter is always bad news. Comp test is the next step.

I'll have a look at the air filter when I get back. I can't picture a dirty air filter noticeably affecting power, although I could be wrong. I'll get hold of a compression tester when I get back and do a test. I only set the valve clearances a couple of months ago. Could they have changed?

James k wrote:I can't picture a dirty air filter noticeably affecting power

I can assure you it does.. my mini with a slightly blowing exhaust gradually lost all power over a period of about a week..in the end it wouldnt go over about 20mph. The last thing I checked was the air filter! It didnt look too bad but when you looked close up was completely blocked. New filter and car transformed.

Taupe

It sounds possible that the advance curve on the new distributor just isn't right. If you refit the old one and the problem goes, then there's your answer

I doubt it - there have been many different advance curves over the life of the various Minor engines -and others have reported good success with these new 45D dizzies. It's hardly a critical thing with a standard engine - sure the curve can/should be optimised when the engines are modified. But I doubt it's an issue here. It is always possible this dizzy has a problem - I asked if the rotor springs back when twisted, but no news on that yet....

I'll check the air filter when I get back. I'm now hoping that it's really blocked! I'll also do the compression test. Roy, I checked the rotor arm and it springs back as it should, sorry I forgot to write that. Is it at all possible that I've somehow damaged the engine whilst trying to start it when the timing was 180 degrees out?

No - not at all - don't worry.