Fan belt replacement - help, new owner

[MorrisJohn]

Two bolts on Dynamo slackened - bracket that holds ignition coil undone...Dynamo should slide down, right? It won't budge. Bolts don't look too bad and I've greased em to try and free them up...

[bmcecosse]

It's nothing to do with the ignition coil...... It's a bracket with a slot UNDER THE FRONT OF THE DYNAMO.........

[MorrisJohn]

Done!!! You guys are legends!

#satisfaction

[MorrisJohn]

If only I could remember which way battery goes...! Took it out to trickle charge it.

[bmcecosse]

Were the terminals to the front - or to the rear ? The belt may need to be tightened slightly after a few miles running.

[MorrisJohn]

Terminals were to the rear I think but it looks to me that the "Earth" connection (one that goes to the body) is on the right. I was told to connect the negative terminal to the one that goes to the body, so the terminals are now to the front. Car is running lumpy now though - could the battery being on the wrong way round cause that? Forgive my lack of knowledge.

[bmcecosse]

If they were to the rear - you should have put it back same way..... Is the dynamo charging ? Red light going out ?

[MorrisJohn]

Put back same way. Dynamo charging - red light goes out. Just running very slowly and lumpy. I've asked a friend who's a mechanic to pop round later and help me diagnose it.

[bmcecosse]

Probably just needs a good run. Nothing to do with the fan belt... Sorry if this sounds daft - but have you put the 'choke' in ?

[MorrisJohn]

Yeah, the choke has been put back in. Even after giving it a decent rev with my foot on accelerator for a few minutes (choke doesn't seem to be working properly) it just quickly slows and dies. It seems lumpy at low revs but sounds okay at higher revs (ignoring the fact there is a small exhaust leak at the manifold). On the plus side fan belt is done and I've fixed a broken indicator.

My mate didn't know how to resolve it as its "too old school" for him, he's never been shown how to set up carbs properly. I'm guessing I could start with a full service? I've ordered Castrol Classic motor oil and the service kit on bull motif spares looks good value...? Only other concern is that engine may have overheated when the fan belt broke. Though can't see any white in exhaust and oil looks good at dipstick and filler cap.

Is there an idiots guide to getting these engines running smoothly? I could put it into a garage but I'd rather get to know how to fix it myself.

My direct debit is also in the post to join the club.

[panky]

Check the dash pot on the carb first, the black plug on the top unscrews and draws out a piston. Take it out and put some oil into where you just took the piston out, it doesn't need much a couple of table spoons full of engine will do it. When you push the piston back in you will feel quite a resistance but keep pushing it in and screw the plug back in.

[bmcecosse]

More like one/two teaspoons ! But no need to measure. Doesn't affect idle though - just flat spots on acceleration ......

[MorrisJohn]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately it's stopped turning over altogether now. Battery is fine. All connections nice and tight. Pull the starter and nothing happens at all. Think I'll call the RAC out and have it taken to a garage. I hope I haven't bought a lemon! I was told I was buying "a good, solid useable car" that could be improved as it went and always starts first time on the button..a rolling project as it were.

Reminds me of all the issues I had with my old mini many years ago!

[bmcecosse]

On iously the battery is not fine. Charge it up!

[ASL642]

How old is the battery - does it have any date on it? No point changing other things before doing this. They don't last forever!

[MorrisJohn]

All electrics are coming on and working as they should - it's just when the starter is pulled nothing happens, the engine doesn't attempt to turn over. Battery was fully charged a day or two ago.

[MrIan]

See if you can find a local branch member that might be able to offer help. This more than likely can be diagnosed if not sorted in 10 mins.
Slight side track but blimey your mechanic mate turned up and couldn't help ??
You cannot get a much more basic straightforward engine.
((sorry pet hate of mine (so please don't take it the wrong way) but these modern so called mechanics that can't diagnose unless a computer tells them !!!))

[bmcecosse]

Does it turn on the handle? Is the starter 'jammed in' - handbrake off, Ignition off - and rock the car in 4th gear.. If you hear a clunk then it has disengaged. And please - CHARGE THE BATTERY !!!

[MorrisJohn]

Yeah, I'm sure someone that knows what they're doing would have it going again quickly. I don't have a crank handle for it to try firing it up that way. Need to get one. I've tried rocking the car in 3rd gear and giving the starter motor a knock or two. The engine turned first time this morning no problem at all, and battery sounded healthy (didn't sound sluggish to turn at all)...but the engine was again lumpy and cut out. Then when I tried to restart it I pulled he starter and nothing happens...although the ignition and oil lights come on as normal when key is turned and lights operate etc.

I'm in Ayrshire if any of you happen to be local. Would be happy to give you something for your time and assistance.

I've called a garage in Tarbolton called Croft Motor Services, the owner of the garage has restored several Morris Minors, but they can't have a look at it until Wednesday. At least know he'll know them inside out.

[bmcecosse]

When the fanbelt failed - how did you get home? Hopefully you didn't keep driving.... Can you try jump starting from another car ?