Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi there. I've recently put my 948 engine back into my 61 morris minor after rebuilding it but having some problems knowing which wires go where. I have the starter motor connected so the engine turns over but is there a way of testing (with a test lamp) what wires go to the dizzie and coil as i am getting a spark in the dizzie but not at the king lead.
Also, any tips on setting ignition timing from scratch?
Any help much appreciated.

Hello Murray,

the coil has a white wire which should go to the SW terminal on the coil (or - if its a newish one., and assuming positive earth) and the white\black tracer wire goes to the CB (or +) terminal on the coil and the other end goes to the distributor.
With the wires not connected and ignition on you should have power on the white wire.
Timing can be a bag of worms if things like the drive spindle from the camshaft is not correctly orientated. Turn the engine over until the number one cylinder is due to fire (about 5 degrees BTDC, check your manual as this is a bit of a guess on my part) The rotor arm should be aligned with the number one lead on the distributor cap. Using a test lamp or similar, rotate the distributor until the points just are opening. That should enable the engine to start, and can be fine tuned once it settles down.

Alec

Thanks for that, I think i've got everything wired up ok now. Had a go at the timing but i'm not getting a spark at the end of the king lead. Should there be a spark even if the timing is wrong as the points are sparking. Also how is the king lead supposed to stay in the coil, there is a screw device which slides over the lead and fits in the coil but the lead just pulls out of it!
Thanks

Hello Murray,
yes you should have a spark, the spark is not related to the timing.

With the screw in posts there is a small split washer that the core of the H.T. lead goe sthrough and then is played out, the nut screws down on this washer and clamps the laed in place.

You should not see much of a spark at the points, if it is very visible, it's possible the condenser is bad.

Alec

Also how is the king lead supposed to stay in the coil, there is a screw device which slides over the lead and fits in the coil but the lead just pulls out of it!

There are 2 types one with a screw fit which you have and the other is a push fit which fitting does your coil have ?

Check the rotor arm is a) present and b) in good order. And is the little carbon brush there ? To set the timing -advance until it 'kicks' against the starter then back off slightly. Then fine tune on the road by listening for pinking - if it pinks - back it off some more. If no pinking - advance slightly until it does, then back it off slightly. But always check you can get it started !! Also make sure the vacuum advance pipe is in good nick - and connected - and check the diaphragm in the dizzy is not burst - they don't last for ever. Only way I know is to suck the pipe and watch the base-plate move in the dizzy.