Morris Minor Owners Club

Still trying to get Jethro started, today's antics began by recharging the battery and while waiting I spent an hour struggling to loosen the dynamo bolts to tighten the drivebelt.
Having done that reconnected the battery and pulled the starter. The engine turned over pretty well but only kicked once and then wouldn't fire again.
Took out the plugs and dried them, they were wet with petrol, and then noticed that the plug lead caps were a very loose fit on the plug terminals and the inner metal parts of one actually fell out as I inspected it.
Typically Halfords didn't have a simple screw in plug cap, only complete ignition lead sets and no replacement N5 spark plugs.
Ordered a silicon ignition lead set and four plugs from good old Ebay so have to wait till next weekend for another attempt.
Meanwhile I was wondering if I should drain the remaining petrol from the car and replenish with fresh fuel as I have no idea how old it is or how to test it.
Any thoughts?

I don't like the sound of kicked once, if it stopped the starter in it's tracks the timing is too far advanced.
Worth double checking the firing order too.

If you have been churning the engine over withut it firing then it is likely that you have unburnt petrol on the plugs.
Check all the ignition components and fuel delivery and that the carb piston is lifting and dropping correctly.
You are better off buying a length of copper core HT lead from one of the many suppliers and cutting it to the lengths that you require with some spare left over. You would probably get it next day delivery

N5 is an old design of plug - FAR better with a set of N9Y Champions....... The old fuel will burn fine once you get the car started - so just tip a good egg cup of NEW fuel down the carb - and crank it. But I do suggest you check/clean/reset the dizzy points before trying again.

bmcecosse wrote:N5 is an old design of plug - FAR better with a set of N9Y Champions....... The old fuel will burn fine once you get the car started - so just tip a good egg cup of NEW fuel down the carb - and crank it. But I do suggest you check/clean/reset the dizzy points before trying again.

Thanks BMC, I have checked and gapped the points and the car did start and run a couple of weeks after I bought it but since then I haven't had a chance to really run it properly. Maybe once I do get it started I will make sure I run the car for a few miles every week. I was surprised how smooth and responsive to the throttle the engine was and it revved very sweetly indeed.

Hi all,
Well the new silicon ignition leads and N9Y plugs arrived today and after setting the gaps and fitting them Jethro fired up with barely a turn on the starter motor!
Oil pressure from cold was 60psi and dropped to 50psi once the engine was warmed up. I believe the dynamo is faulty as the ignition light initially went out but came on again despite revving the engine. I may have to invest in a new dynamo as the belt pulley seems a bit wobbly as well!

Did you fit the battery same way round as before??

bmcecosse wrote:Did you fit the battery same way round as before??

Yep, exactly the same setup as before. Positive earth and all earth straps secure.

Oh well - it was just a thought..... Dynamo probably just needs brushes........

Yeah, I think I might pop it in to the local refurbishers for bench testing and cleanup.

It's very easy to DIY.......

You're absolutely right, I will grab a set of brushes on Ebay and give it a go