Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi I am new to this site, I have a Morris Mini 1971 1100 standard engine, ( I hope it's ok for me to be a member since it's a Morris Mini and not a Morris Minor).

I need some advice if possible. I just replaced my timing chain because it was really streched. I put it all back together being very careful to line up the dots on the cam and crank gears.
Now I can get her started pretty easy and it will accelerate when in neutral, it pops just a little as the revs get high, but when I try and drive it has no power at all and the more I accelerate the more it dies.
I blew air through all the carb because I thought maybe some dust got in there when I had the cover off it during the work I did but still the same problem - just no power. PS: it ihas electronic dizzy - do I need to remove the vaccuum advance hose when I do the timing?
Does it sound like a timing problem or fuel?
Kind regards,
Jared

You should really join 'theminiforum' for Mini Qs - but if all you changed was the timing chain - are you SURE you got the dots lined up absolutely correctly? There is a way to check this by measuring the valve gaps at TDC - so if in any doubt - I could go over that again. Otherwise - just advance the ignition timing till you get pinking - and then take it back very slightly. Since you have touched the carb.....check that the piston can rise easily with your finger - and then falls back down with a nice clunk.....

bmcecosse wrote:You should really join 'theminiforum' for Mini Qs - but if all you changed was the timing chain - are you SURE you got the dots lined up absolutely correctly? There is a way to check this by measuring the valve gaps at TDC - so if in any doubt - I could go over that again. Otherwise - just advance the ignition timing till you get pinking - and then take it back very slightly. Since you have touched the carb.....check that the piston can rise easily with your finger - and then falls back down with a nice clunk.....

Hi thanks for replying, I tried to join mini frum but seams there is some problem and I never heard back from them. Anyway yes I definatly got the dots right, and the carb is good, I will try what you said, does it sound like a timing problem to you?
Cheers.

if things are ok and you change something and things are no longer ok ,best to look at what you changed before the problem.If all else is equal .eg timing

lambrettalad wrote:if things are ok and you change something and things are no longer ok ,best to look at what you changed before the problem.If all else is equal .eg timing

Yes but you have to pull alot of things apart to do the timing chain, thats why I ask if it sounds like timing.

Ahh - but it can be checked at the rockers without any dismantling. Try ignition and carb first, and are you SURE the plug leads are on correct order - 1342 anticlockwise round the dizzy cap - if they all seem ok - come back to me. You should be ok to join 'theminiforum' - I think there was a server problem at one point - but it's fine now.

As bmcecosse says check plug leads for firing order

Does it sound like a timing problem or fuel?

After replacing a worn timing chain you need to do the timing again.
Even if it doesn't fix your problem it needs doing anyway. Whilst you are at it, check points gap etc.. anyway.

tips for electronic ignition setting, Sorry nobody posted anything here so far - try a google search? personally I've never used electronic ignition on a minor.
I would guess that yes, you do need to remove vac advance as this will make an alteration at idle.

bmcecosse wrote:Ahh - but it can be checked at the rockers without any dismantling. Try ignition and carb first, and are you SURE the plug leads are on correct order - 1342 anticlockwise round the dizzy cap - if they all seem ok - come back to me. You should be ok to join 'theminiforum' - I think there was a server problem at one point - but it's fine now.

Yes sir the leads are on correct as i marked them with a texter when I took them off.
I also checked valve clearance before I put cover back on and it was all normal. One thing I hav not tried yet is setting the timing off cylinder #4 . I was told to set it off cylinder # 1 . Do you know if I should do it from #4 ?

You can time it off any cylinder ,as long as you know which one,99% of timings on classic cars is done off number one.
This is helpful if you take a picture of the rotor position ,others will have a reference point ,to their own .
Have you put a static light across the points to see when they are open in relation to the timing marks on the pulley? If so what were the results? 10 to 5 BTDC ?

Timing the ignition is a waste of 'time' - just get it running and then turn the dizzy back and forth to get the best/smoothest idle. Then road test to check there is no pinking. And as above - there is absolutely no difference between #1 and #4.... Checking the cam timing is not just a matter of setting the valve gaps....

oops just seen it has electronic DUH Simpson moment

lambrettalad wrote:oops just seen it has electronic DUH Simpson moment

Thats cool ,thanks for your input

bmcecosse wrote:Ahh - but it can be checked at the rockers without any dismantling. Try ignition and carb first, and are you SURE the plug leads are on correct order - 1342 anticlockwise round the dizzy cap - if they all seem ok - come back to me. You should be ok to join 'theminiforum' - I think there was a server problem at one point - but it's fine now.

Ok, I just ducked home on my lunch break to do the timing again with the Vaccuum advance hose off and using spark plug lead #1, I set it to 10 TDC and then took it for a spin, it feels heaps better but still only 80% power.

So when I get home tonight I will go to 5deg TDC and hopefully it will be back on the road.

I tried to get onto miniforum again but no reponce from them?

Thank you all for your help

JUST AS A COMPARISON :

After doing mine it ended up at 1 degree btdc at approx 800 rpm and runs very very well

.Now you have 80% power use bmc's method of turning the dizzy whilst running to obtain the best tickover speed you should then be about right on the timing. Anything after will be fine tuning hopefully.

Seriously - you obviously don't understand - 'timing' is just a guess - set it for best idle, then trim it till it is 'not quite' pinking. And 80% power could well mean it is one tooth out at the chain - and the fact you had to move your dizzy rather confirms that.

bmcecosse wrote:Seriously - you obviously don't understand - 'timing' is just a guess - set it for best idle, then trim it till it is 'not quite' pinking. And 80% power could well mean it is one tooth out at the chain - and the fact you had to move your dizzy rather confirms that.

Thanks for your help mate, I did the timing again and its going great now

FAB