Morris Minor Owners Club

I have a '56 splitscreen that I was told was upgraded to a 1000cc. now, I set the static timing using the bulb on the dizzy way and the timing seems ok, the problem with starting is I pull the starter and the engine turns over fast enough but it won't start until I let go of the starter, anybody any ideas, and also is there anybody that lives in birmingham (kings norton) that could tune my carb' for me. if there is could you pm me to arrange something, as I have booked into the webb's show at wychbold bank holiday and I wouldn't want to break down on the way. by the way the car sailed through the mot yesterday the only problem I had was when I was driving home it started to judder a bit when I cornered in 3rd and it juddered a bit so I changed to second accelerated and it was ok but I think the carb really wants tuning.
cheers mungo.

Mine is much the same - only fires up from cold when I let go the starter. I suppose it means lowish HT volts - but since it always starts - I don't worry about it!

Im having the juddering in 2nd and third, I wondered too if its the setup of the carb thats the issue.

It's easily self adjusted! Hot engine - idling - use the little lift pin to lift the piston in the carb slightly. Engine speeds up = too rich (turn the jet nut upwards) , engine slows = too weak (turn jet nut downwards) , nothing much happens = just right. Do nothing!

Run the engine to normal temp and switch it off. Remove the air filter and lift the carb piston with your finger and allow it to drop which it should do with an audible clunk. If that is OK replace the air filter.
Wind the brass nut under the carb fully up and mark one of the flats with tipex or something. Wind the nut down 2 complete turns or 12 flats. Start the engine and adjust the nut up or down a flat at a time until you get the smoothest running. The tipex mark will give you a reference point in case you lose track. The carb should now be tuned.

hiya, to go back to what BMC said what could cause Low tension volts, i've checked the connections and they seem o.k. (am I just being paranoid)

Marginal battery, shorting inside the starter motor or maybe insufficient earthing between engine and battery.
The starting circuit is taking ALL the power there is from the battery leaving none for sparks.
The moment the key is released there is power for the sparks and as the engine is turning it can start.

The problem is that if it doesn't go 1st time there is less power in the battery for the next start.
So things can go downhill quite quickly unless you bring the starting handle into play.

When the weather is cold the battery has less charge, the oil is thicker and the starting handle will be needed rather sooner

Paranoid! Mine never fails to start!

Not paranoid at all.
On a standard Minor I'd rate this as marginal starting and symptomatic of a weakness that could easily lead to a failure to start.

No idea about your car, never seen or heard it starting, and doubt that it is standard so I wont comment.

gday sidsmith maybe going down to 2nd on some corners may help . where in south brum are you . i have a wolsley savvy pal around the glebe area if thats any good .getback thru here if you like.

To clear it up - my car spins up on the starter (for about 3 seconds) and doesn't make any attempt to fire on the first try. At the second try - it starts as soon as I let go the key - after about 1 second of turning! Maybe if i kept churning it would fire up - i just know it will start if I let go after that 1 second! This is from cold - when hot it starts instantly and (so far) unfailingly! I switch off at traffic lights - indeed any significant hold-up. Don't want to be accused of 'unnecessary idling' !!
Yes - it's not standard - quite high CR, much larger valves - and HIF38 carb on MG inlet. And - goes like stink for a 1098!

Interesting, 3 seconds is quite a long time on the starter motor.
How does it feel on the starting handle compared to a standard engine?

well I set my carb up as described and it did sort out the juddering , good luck with the starting worries.