Guys i need some advise before i burn this car

[ralph350i]

mrzigazaga said:

Hi Ralph..Dry plugs sounds like NO fuel is getting through..What do you mean by "Wet exhaust"??..How is the coolant level...Ziga

Hi Zig
loads of fuel in car and i can see the pump fueling the carb mate?? the exhaust you can see petrol i think running out the back of them, coolant level is fine mate.

[ralph350i]

carsy said:

Now you are on compression stroke TDC. Are you positive the rotor arm is pointing to number 1 plug lead. If it is and still wont go you need to check for a good spark and fuel.

Have you got fuel? You say the plugs were dry.

Yep am postive rotor is facing 1 mate and can see the fuel being pumped in from the carb???? unless the carb which is new has a fault???

[jagracer]

ralph350i said:

cheers Mike
Well set the timing on the compression stoke and it still is back firing and not starting, i have checked all the leads, cleaned the plugs and it still will not run, the only thing i can see, is the plugs are pretty dry and the exhaust is very wet???
I know the timing is correct now as i put a wet tissue in plug one and hand cranked until it pops out, thus compression, so god only knows what the hell i am doing wrong, any advise would be great, cheers, ralph

Forget any changes you have made, go back to basics and start from the beginning. Get No1 at TDC compression and time from there making sure you have the leads in the correct order, I still say you have it 180 deg out. If you are in any doubt as to whether it is a fuel problem try pouring a drop of petrol straight in the top of the carb before you crank it.

[ralph350i]

jagracer said:

Forget any changes you have made, go back to basics and start from the beginning. Get No1 at TDC compression and time from there making sure you have the leads in the correct order, I still say you have it 180 deg out. If you are in any doubt as to whether it is a fuel problem try pouring a drop of petrol straight in the top of the carb before you crank it.

Cheers Jagracer
i have done this about 30 times, started from the beginning checked leads, plugs, made sure that it on compression stoke ( wet tissue in plug hole being fired out) and that rotor arm is facing 1???, but after thinking about it, it must be on exhaust valve because the fuel is being chucked out of the exhaust, so whatever i am doing wrong i am now at a complete loss, could the cam timing have jumped as i have a bad knocking noise from the top end, ie tappets i think??

cheers

Ralph

[jagracer]

ralph350i said:

Cheers Jagracer
i have done this about 30 times, started from the beginning checked leads, plugs, made sure that it on compression stoke ( wet tissue in plug hole being fired out) and that rotor arm is facing 1???, but after thinking about it, it must be on exhaust valve because the fuel is being chucked out of the exhaust, so whatever i am doing wrong i am now at a complete loss, could the cam timing have jumped as i have a bad knocking noise from the top end, ie tappets i think??

cheers

Ralph

Been there and got dozens of T Shirts to prove it. What had you done to the engine to need to re-time it anyway? Could there be any other fault? Have you tried moving the leads round 180deg or even getting someone to turn the dizzy while you try and start it. Although it shouldn't make too much difference as it should run (even if it's rough), don't forget you don't want it timed at TDC, you need it firing about 10deg before. Try having the rotor pointing slightly before No1 and get someone to turn the dizzy as you start it.
What part of Surrey are you in?
If it's any consolation, last time I rebuilt my straight 6 it took me two hours of head scratching and kicking the mother in law before I got it going.

[mrzigazaga]

jagracer said:

kicking the mother in law before I got it going.

Seriously though mate...Two heads are better than one..(Ask Orthrus)..And the offer of someone else with good knowledge helping is even better..I admire your perseverance but sympathise with you, When my car was being a beach there were times when i wanted to burn it but i was making progress even if it was slow..It seems that you are unfortunately going round in circles and acheiving very little..I think i would of taken out the engine by now and put in a viewed running V8 that would just hook up to existing ancillaries..THEN...strip down the original and see WTF is going on, At least you can enjoy the car for a while..I persevered with mine as i didnt have a great deal of choice when it come to ditching the engine for a replacement..I struggled to find a decent cossie and finding a good cologne wasnt easy either, Fitting a ford 302 would of been awesome but i havent got 10K to spend on an engine and gearbox!!..Chassis was a limiting factor as well..But you have the choice of a good few RV8s out there that are relatively cheap and dont need a gearbox...I really hope it is a simple fix but by the look of it its turning out to be more trouble than anticipated..You need a break mate not a break down..And i dont mean the car!!...Everything crossed for you mate..Ziga

Edited by mrzigazaga on Sunday 15th April 18:37

[ralph350i]

jagracer said:

een there and got dozens of T Shirts to prove it. What had you done to the engine to need to re-time it anyway? Could there be any other fault? Have you tried moving the leads round 180deg or even getting someone to turn the dizzy while you try and start it. Although it shouldn't make too much difference as it should run (even if it's rough), don't forget you don't want it timed at TDC, you need it firing about 10deg before. Try having the rotor pointing slightly before No1 and get someone to turn the dizzy as you start it.
What part of Surrey are you in?
If it's any consolation, last time I rebuilt my straight 6 it took me two hours of head scratching and kicking the mother in law before I got it going.

Hi jagracer
well the misses now has 2 black eyes and the mother in law has a broken leg and all that in a day lol
Right finally got it running, how, i do not know, but knocking is still there and am pretty sure its the camshalf, but cant be 100% sure as i know very little about these engines and at this piont am at a complete loss now so i,ll have to re-think the hold project and jagracer am near kenley mate on the a22 just down the road from the m25 turn off for godstone, if you could help that would be great mate just drop me an email if you want and i have a chat, thanks for your help today at lease i got it running.

Cheers

Ralph

[ralph350i]

mrzigazaga said:

Seriously though mate...Two heads are better than one..(Ask Orthrus)..And the offer of someone else with good knowledge helping is even better..I admire your perseverance but sympathise with you, When my car was being a beach there were times when i wanted to burn it but i was making progress even if it was slow..It seems that you are unfortunately going round in circles and acheiving very little..I think i would of taken out the engine by now and put in a viewed running V8 that would just hook up to existing ancillaries..THEN...strip down the original and see WTF is going on, At least you can enjoy the car for a while..I persevered with mine as i didnt have a great deal of choice when it come to ditching the engine for a replacement..I struggled to find a decent cossie and finding a good cologne wasnt easy either, Fitting a ford 302 would of been awesome but i havent got 10K to spend on an engine and gearbox!!..Chassis was a limiting factor as well..But you have the choice of a good few RV8s out there that are relatively cheap and dont need a gearbox...I really hope it is a simple fix but by the look of it its turning out to be more trouble than anticipated..You need a break mate not a break down..And i dont mean the car!!...Everything crossed for you mate..Ziga

Edited by mrzigazaga on Sunday 15th April 18:37

Hi Zig
Am having a breakdown already mate lol its driving me mad going over the same old s***t and not getting anywhere, thanks for all your support mate, you have been a great help, but at this piont i need to re-think what i am gonna do.

cheers

Ralph

[al 350i]

its not much help ralph but i've got same problem and i've been going around in circles too! i can get mine to run but badly with same symptoms as yours, moisture from exhaust (not fuel) and dry black sooty plugs and i have to turn the distributor about 30 degrees anti clockwise to get it to start!! i've got the timing on no.1 firing, took off rocker cover and had second man check valves were shut and piston was at its highest point as i rotated the crank and just to be sure i have tried it 180 degrees the other way but after turning over a couple of times it tried back blowing the plenum chamber off!! i'm convinced its something stupid that i've overlooked but its just pissing me off now!!

[ralph350i]

al 350i said:

its not much help ralph but i've got same problem and i've been going around in circles too! i can get mine to run but badly with same symptoms as yours, moisture from exhaust (not fuel) and dry black sooty plugs and i have to turn the distributor about 30 degrees anti clockwise to get it to start!! i've got the timing on no.1 firing, took off rocker cover and had second man check valves were shut and piston was at its highest point as i rotated the crank and just to be sure i have tried it 180 degrees the other way but after turning over a couple of times it tried back blowing the plenum chamber off!! i'm convinced its something stupid that i've overlooked but its just pissing me off now!!

Al
I really feel for you mate and know what your going though and its not nice, i done away with the efi as you know and the carb is giving me the same issues, it must be a timing thing, but for the life of me i cant work it out and have now got the camshalf knocking really badly, sorry mate, if i could help i would be around in a shot and if i find the issue i,ll defo drop you an email mate

cheers and good luck

Ralph

[ralph350i]

ralph350i said:

Al
I really feel for you mate and know what your going though and its not nice, i done away with the efi as you know and the carb is giving me the same issues, it must be a timing thing, but for the life of me i cant work it out and have now got the camshalf knocking really badly, sorry mate, if i could help i would be around in a shot and if i find the issue i,ll defo drop you an email mate

Ps Al it cant be the injection system mate, as mine dont have it, so i would be looking at the ignition set up, hope that helps

cheers and good luck

Ralph

[al 350i]

i just changed the distributor and coil for new one as some how the old one had moved and was trying to spark between the points on cap, when i lined the rotor up with the plug on cap the cog on coil pick up underneath the rotor wasn't lining up! but i'm guessing you've already checked you've got a good spark.

i'm starting to think may be i've got low compression, could someone tell me is there a set way to check this and what sort of values am i looking for

[ralph350i]

al 350i said:

i just changed the distributor and coil for new one as some how the old one had moved and was trying to spark between the points on cap, when i lined the rotor up with the plug on cap the cog on coil pick up underneath the rotor wasn't lining up! but i'm guessing you've already checked you've got a good spark.

i'm starting to think may be i've got low compression, could someone tell me is there a set way to check this and what sort of values am i looking for

Hi Al
The strange thing i have with the car, is that it will run ok on champion plugs ( longer tip), but not NGK ( shorter tip) so i beleive it could be a dizzy issues not giving a good spark, have checked and looks ok???, i found this site this morning mate it may help mate

http://www.vord.net/cars/mgb_mods/engine/engine-tr...

cheers

Ralph

[mrzigazaga]

al 350i said:

i'm starting to think may be i've got low compression, could someone tell me is there a set way to check this and what sort of values am i looking for

Hi Mate..You need to get yourself a compression tester and the extension fitting if you can,They are not too expensive..Take all your plugs out then screw the fitting or the end of the gauge in, Then crank the engine one click of the key..Check the gauge for a reading and write it down, Do this to all cylinders..Im not sure what compression readings you are supposed to get with the V8 but i think if they are all similar it should be ok..
Spark plugs: The bible says..V8= Unipart GSP151 or NGK B7ECS, Check these as when i used what it said for a V6 they were 1/4" too long??...Hope this helps..Cheers..Ziga

[Jack Valiant]

I have a compression tester if you you would like to borrow one fella. We are planning a meet at Greenwich park on Sat subject to the marathon prep if you would like to chat and see the cars etc let me or zig know

Chris

[al 350i]

Jack Valiant said:

I have a compression tester if you you would like to borrow one fella. We are planning a meet at Greenwich park on Sat subject to the marathon prep if you would like to chat and see the cars etc let me or zig know

Chris

i've got a compression tester but thanks for the offer, didn't know wether there is a set way to preform test........all plugs out, little bit of oil down bore and cranked for 10 secs.
right hand bank (2,4,6,8) 185,185,190,185
left hand bank (1,3,5,7) 240,210,210,210
cylinder 1 is a bit high but might have chucked a tad too much oil down hole!!

a chat and look at a few running cars sounds like a good break, what time?

[adam quantrill]

No problems there then! 185-190 is usual for cold.

Do you have a timing light? If so take it with you to the meet and stick it on a few V8 engines - I'm sure a few people will let you "check the timing" and you can get used to where it should be when you're cranking/running yours.

[mrzigazaga]

al 350i said:

a chat and look at a few running cars sounds like a good break, what time?

We normally meet at around 9.30am but its dependant on the weather, It does look a bit wet the weekend..Will keep an eye on it..Ziga

[al 350i]

ralph350i said:

Hi Al
The strange thing i have with the car, is that it will run ok on champion plugs ( longer tip), but not NGK ( shorter tip) so i beleive it could be a dizzy issues not giving a good spark, have checked and looks ok???, i found this site this morning mate it may help mate

http://www.vord.net/cars/mgb_mods/engine/engine-tr...

cheers

Ralph

made for an interesting read, my leads are run of the mill landrover jobbies, my distributor is new and spark is good but i know what he means about plugs my engine can ruin a set in 10 mins!!!!!

[simboy1973]

I know it's no concsolation , but stick in there. I persevered for 6/7 weeks. Various running issues and i finally got there.
I had lighter fluid n matches in my hand at one point.
My main issue was a knackered dizzy, then other items started failing and a broken wire and a shonky immobilizer. The list was endless.
It's a real pain in the a@@e when you can't get it running right. Believe me, been there as have others.
Stick in there! infact take a few days away from the car all together.


Si