jyc888

Thanks for your thoughts and tips. Just to clarify: I didn't specify that whilsts cranking the engine the radiator fan will spin freely but not the dizzy rotor arm. Turning the fan by hand will turn the crankshaft but not the dizzy rotor arm. I was suspecting that the fault lies somewhere here. The replacement fuel pump I installed is identical to the old one with the straight level arm engaging above the cam. I'm not sure if this is a red herring. I have read about the rubber spacer that people have used in between the fuel pump and engine block. There wasn't one there before i replaced the fuel pump and she worked fine without it. I'll look at the rockers next and already have purchased a accuspark distributor which I will fit. Just need to find the time now.......... I'll keep you updated.

I purchased a Spitfire Mk3 (Wedgewood Blue) with 1296cc engine and overdrive last year and she is my pride and joy. It was running fine until one day on the motorway, the engine just cut out. Complete loss of power and she wouldn't restart. No preceeding bangs from the engine/smoke or fluid loss on the hard shoulder. She was towed home. I am a weekend mechanic and having played around with little success and now seeking if anyone can help, The battery is new and the starter motor cranks, but the engine wont catch/run. Electrics (wipers/lights) still work. Oil and radiator levels are fine. I checked all the HT leads and spark plugs are there are no sparks. On taking the dizzy cap off, I noticed than when trying to start, the dizzy rotor arm doesnt move at all! I had changed the fuel pump earlier thinking that was the problem and also put in a see through fuel filter. I have noticed that when cracking the engine no fuel seems to be passing out of the fuel line where I disconnected it from the carburettors. I have checked that the fuel pump arm sits above the camshaft when installing. On manually priming the fuel pump, fuel does squirt out. Rotating the radiator fan manually also does not rotate the dizzy rotor arm or make the fuel pump work. I'm wondering now whether that it is the camshaft that has gone, and would appreciate any thoughts on how to get her back on the road again. Thanks for reading.