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rough running
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:48 pm
by green123
hello i removed my distributor to paint my engine. i marked the distributor and made sure it went back the same i have put the engine back in the car and have started it and it very rough running i can just manage to get it to start.so does any body know what this could be. i can take number 4 ht lead of and makes no diffrence to the running could it be the dizzy cap or ht lead or something. the engine ran sweat before i took the distributor out and nothing else has changed many thanks for help
Re: rough running
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 6:51 pm
by lambrettalad
hi did you check the firing order,i.e. have you put the ht leads on to the right cylinder?
spart plug fouled?
I'm sure you will get lots of suggestions
good luck

Re: rough running
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:03 pm
by green123
i thought it was the spark plug but i changed that and the ht leads are in the correct order. it was fine before i removed it and replaced it i undid the bots on it and turned it and made no diffrnece should i turn it more?
Re: rough running
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 7:35 pm
by lambrettalad
very slowly one way then the other until you get the best tick over.
did you take anything else off t he engine e.g. the carb ?is the float sticking?
is the little carbon connector in the dizzy free and easy?
Re: rough running
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:10 am
by bmcecosse
Are you SURE the leads are in the correct order? 1342 anticlock around the dizzy..........
Re: rough running
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 7:03 am
by green123
yes im shure they are in the right order and i did wrap the distiubtor in a cloth so could i of dislodged something?
Re: rough running
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:11 am
by Trickydicky
Hi,
When you removed the distributor did you remove it by undoing the two bolts on the clamping plate or by undoing the pinch bolt? if you removed the pinch bolt then the timing has been disturbed and will need resetting. If you removed it by the two bolts on the clamping plate then is should go back as it came out and the timing will not be disturbed.
Knowing how you removed the distributor will help resolving the problem.
Richard
Re: rough running
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 1:14 pm
by green123
hello i removed it by undoing the 2 bolts that hold it on to the engine and left the pinch bolt well alone i cant see the problem as it starts and drives
Re: rough running
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 2:56 pm
by lambrettalad
just a thought is the vacuum pipe connected and working?
Re: rough running
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 5:04 pm
by green123
yes its fine all connected up thanks
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:59 am
by bmcecosse
Could be oiled up plug I suppose. But everything points to HT leads...........
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 11:24 am
by green123
i changed the points,condensor,rotor arm,dizzy cap, ht leads, coil and spark plugs what else could it be is it the distributor knackered or could ti be something else cheers
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 3:05 pm
by Trickydicky
[quote="green123"]i changed the points,condensor,rotor arm,dizzy cap, ht leads, coil and spark plugs what else could it be is it the distributor knackered or could ti be something else cheers[/quote
When did you change them? before the problems started or after?
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 3:06 pm
by green123
after the problem started
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:37 pm
by green123
hello found out something today is it was not running on number 4 cylinder and then it is now not running on 1 and 2 can any 1 help cheers
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 5:45 pm
by Trickydicky
Hi,
All I can suggest is that if it was running ok before you swapped the parts and you still have them, then put them all back on and start again, or put them back on one by one to try and find what is causing the issue.
You have changed too many parts in one go to narrow down what component is causing the problem.
Richard
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:13 pm
by green123
it started misfirnng after i put the engine back in so i changed these parts one at a time to see if it would change and no its still rough running could it be anything to do with me taking the distributor out and refitting even thoe i dint alter the timing and the distributor only goes in one way. would it matter if the engine fell over and hit on the distributor as i recall it doing this will this help in any way
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:30 pm
by Trickydicky
Hi,
Smacking the distributor as the engine falls over

sounds like you have damaged the distributor. Only logical thing to do would be to (if you have one) swap the dizzy with a known good working one.
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:34 pm
by green123
hello i have a spare but dont know if it works but the car still runs so i cant see it being the distributor being knackered
Re: rough running
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:08 pm
by bmcecosse