Tearing my hair out!
Discussion
I have owned a 1977 Dolomite 1500 HL for around three years. I bought it without realising that there was a problem with the engine. I drove it for a few days before realising it was building up pressure and chucking oil out. A mechanic mate of mine diagnosed a blown head gasket so this was replaced but I still had the same problem and it was decided that the block was cracked so I sourced a replacement 1500 engine and this was put in. It ran fine for the first day but next morning when I went to start it, all I got was a click and then nothing at all, as if the battery was dead. So I charged the battery but exactly the same problem; a click on the first turn of the key, then nothing. So, suspecting a naff battery, I put one on that I knew was okay. Same again; one click and then nothing. Has anyone any ideas please as to what might be causing this as I'm just about ready to stick it on fleabay as is and get what I can for it just to get rid. Sorry for being so long winded.
Ok had a look and went round everything with some wire wool and tightened everything up and have now got the power back. It still won't start though so I'm going to replace the starter solenoid. One strange thing; when I switch on the ignition, the interior light comes on! Thanks for the advice.
The first thing I checked was the breather pipe (around two years ago!) before we started ripping everything apart. Whilst tightening everything up, I inadvertently touched the two bolts on the starter solenoid and the engine turned over as if trying to start. I've got a new solenoid ordered hopefully by the weekend so I'll soon see if that's the problem. Thanks for all the useful replies.
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