need advise please

[keith1964]

hi have a spark have fuel engine won't strart v6 essex 1970 tried setting static timing still nothing a ford zodiac

[steveo3002]

compression test ? firing order ?

has it ever ran ? broken down or rebuilt engine ?

[Gary C]

keith1964 said:

hi have a spark have fuel engine won't strart v6 essex 1970 tried setting static timing still nothing a ford zodiac

Bit of a mouthful there

but spark, is it strong and turning up at the right time.
fuel, is it too much or too little

Have you done anything to the car recently, did it just stop and refuse to work again, or has it sat for years ?

Need some background to help I think

First, check if there is there any compression ? (checks all valves, valve timing, piston condition etc) maybe

[keith1964]

hi thanks was sitting about 15 year i had it running timing needs done found a few cowboy fixes the latest is a split in vacumm pipe connector but it was running it's not to badly just refusing to start

[keith1964]

i bought it in june i've even had it out a 15 mile round trip but i cant understand why it's just refusing to start

[keith1964]

setting it up at static timing even if it ran like a truck it should start tryed everything now scratching my head

[Gary C]

I 'could' be the battery and my thinking is, you often get problems just like this when the weather gets cold and a dodgy battery starts to become marginal, might be worth an assist from another car with jump leads just to rule it out.

Then its a matter of working though each component. It sounds as if it could be multiple things being a bit marginal adding up to a car that won't start.

Is this a restoration project or a junker you want to have some fun in ?

I would still test the compression an old engine that wont start.

[keith1964]

i have a trickle feed charger on it so before i start on the car it has a full charge if this makes any sense last week rev couter jumped as turning it over to start now it's barely moveing it's down to timing i think but need that confirmed by some one like your self it all started when i found the dizzy was loose and had moved but had it running since then but last 3 days i want to just kick it lol

[GreenV8S]

Plugs wet or dry?

[keith1964]

plugs were wet thismorning took them all out cleaned and dried them

[GreenV8S]

When you crank the engine over does it sound the same as normal, with regular changes in engine speed as each cylinder comes up on compression? Is it sucking air in the intake and pushing it out the exhaust when you crank?

If that all seems normal, you're probably looking for an ignition problem - either spark strength at the plug, or timing. It wouldn't be at all unusual for cold damp weather to show up weak insulation in HT leads. Have you messed with the timing at all since it was last running?

[keith1964]

since last running i've set the static timing by the ford workshop manual for the car i'm getting a good strong spark fuel is pumping strong just no start not even a splutter could the coil be working but on it's way out everything has been replaced apart from the coil new points plugs ht leads rotor arm and cap battery

[keith1964]

i'll get back in to it in the morning i'll let you know if it starts but thank you for your help feel free to post any thoughts i'll read it all

thanks keith

[catman]

Did you change the condenser? Wet plugs suggest weak/no spark under compression. Even if the timing's a little out, you should get some sign of life, backfiring, spluttering etc. Is the petrol old or new?

[Pericoloso]

Left field possibility............Could the fibre timing gear have stripped teeth off it , maybe not all of them ?

[keith1964]

condensor new to yes

[ReverendCounter]

keith1964 said:

everything has been replaced apart from the coil new points plugs ht leads rotor arm and cap battery

As mentioned my money's on the battery.

[keith1964]

brand new battery fully charged its something stupid i just scratching my head at the moment but thanks for all the help

[Desiderata]

Is the fuel ok? If it's been sitting for a while it might be degraded (or even mixed with water) . You might have had it running on the fuel that was in the pipes/float chamber etc but now whatever was in the bottom of the tank is coming through.

[GreenV8S]

keith1964 said:

since last running i've set the static timing by the ford workshop manual for the car

I assume you're testing the spark at the plug.

Did you have to adjust the timing much? It's not uncommon for compound pulleys to separate so that the outer part with the timing marks on it can move relative to the crankshaft. The reliable way to verify the timing reference is to find mechanical TDC on #1 cylinder and compare the TDC timing mark against that. Also double check that you and the manual agree on the cylinder numbering convention for this engine and what the firing order is, and that the rotor arm actually points to the right leads in the right order.

Edited by GreenV8S on Sunday 15th November 01:26