Help Needed. Starting car

[ade261]

I am throwing myself at the mercy of members, I have been restoring a 1969 two door. I have rebuilt the engine and have had it running and driving up to 12 months ago, have come to start it and it will not start, have checked the coil (never the coil) and that's all OK, have static timed it new points, condenser, dizzy cap and rotor arm. Fuel pump pumping as it should.

Free tea and bacon butties to anyone who can end this frustration, i just want it running so i can mot and tax it.

I work shifts, early's and late's, so can work around any savior out there.

i am sure just needs the attention of an experienced fettler.

I am in Poynton Stockport

[MarkyB]

Are you getting sparks at the plugs?
An egg cup full of fresh petrol down the carb might get things going.
Does it show any signs of life?

[GBond]

If there's spark I'm thinking it could be timed on the wrong stroke.

Also make sure all connections to the coil and distributor are OK, another member around here had trouble with a newly rebuilt engine and it turned out he had the coil wired directly to the 12V on the battery and not through the distributor as it should.

Good luck!

[bmcecosse]

As Marky suggests -= if there IS a spark, and an egg cup of fuel doesn't start it - then move the plug leads round one plug at a time. And note firing order is 1342 - anti clock round the dizzy cap.

[janstolp]

My car started only after long time starting .Once it ran everything was O.K.
I checked everything.At long last I meant to swap the coil.
I loosend the wire leading to the distributor and then I noticed the wire,fibre not copper, was "crumbled"
I cut a piece of the wire and made a fresh connection and...tara!
I only have to open the door of the garage and he starts purring
Regards
Jan

[bmcecosse]

Well done...

[ade261]

Thanks for replies, I am sure that timing is ok as I used the rocking valves on number 4 pot while no.1 piston at top of travel method, fresh fuel direct into carb barrel, and even tried eazistart, initially coughs and fires, no tickover. Have rotated dizzy while cranking it over to no avail.

[MarkyB]

If all cylinders fire then the problem is on the carb side, for what ever reason good petrol isn't getting through.

[IslipMinor]

Was the engine rebuilt after it was last run or before?

What has been changed since it last ran?

[GBond]

Maybe there's gummed up fuel clogging the needle. Readjusting the carb to factory initial settings might also help in case the settings are way off.

Some of the later carbs have a connection for a vacuum line (at least mine did). If this isn't plugged the engine will have a lot of difficulty starting.

[bmcecosse]

So - if you tip a good egg cup of petrol in the carb - the engine should start and run for a few seconds...does it do that?

[ade261]

Thanks for all the advise will try fresh petrol straight into the carb on Sunday.

[ade261]

Hi all, I have finally got my moggie started but it will not tick over, have run it to operating temp but still no tick over, revs quite high but when i try to drive it doesnt seem to have enough power to move the car and it just drops the revs and cuts out. Any ideas greatly appreciated, failing that a number of a mobile mechanic that covers the stockport area. Thanks

Ade

[MarkyB]

Bring a few answers as well as questions.
Are the points and timing set to something reasonable, ever checked the valve gaps and what else has been done?
It sounds rather like weak mixture, is the advance-retard pipe connected and in good nick and all gaskets present and correct?

[ade261]

Thanks Marky A few answers, brand new electronic dizzy, advance retard pipe intact and connected. Valves and tappets set when i rebuilt the engine have had it running and driving since. new petrol,

What I did notice is that at the petrol pump inlet side i have clear fuel line and it seems to have a bubble in it, fuel getting to the float chamber ok. and this is all as it was when i last drove it.

Ade

[bmcecosse]

Sure the plug lead order is right? 1342 -ANTI-clockwise round the dizzy cap....... Don't worry about 'bubble'in fuel --- how do you KNOW you have a 'bubble'??? Not got an unnecessary filter fitted has it??? Does the carb piston rise and fall easily?

[ade261]

Have recieved my su service kit from ESM today so tomorrow will strip card down give it a thorough clean and replace all the bits in the kit then take it from there.

Will keep all informed, when running two sill finishers to fit, then M.O.T. time

[bmcecosse]

You sure the carb needs a 'service'?? I would get it running before doing anything new to the engine.......

[mike.perry]

Unless there is a fault with the carb, leaking, float chamber not filling, needle bent, etc then you are likely to cause more problems with the service kit, one more unknown into the equation.

[ade261]

Have serviced the carb, new needle valve, valve seat etc, put back on the car, started no problem but still lacks power on driving. Checked tappets and adjusted, only one tight. Am thinking it must be near now.