Jonah Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 After a number of projects that the forum have helped me with, gearbox and overdrive rebuild, stiff steering and brake pipe issues I tried to start the car today unsuccessfully the last time I took it out it ran roughly there is fuel at the carburettor but a weak spark at the spark plug ive checked electrical connections, points, cool, plugs, condenser etc which were all good i then looked at static timing with a 12v light, I could turn the distributor to get the light to switch on at No1 cylinder and then turn clockwise to turn off, which I understand should set the timing, however there is movement in the distributor body which makes the light switch on and off erratically and setting the timing difficult could this be a problem with the distributor julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Sounds like the clamp around the distributor. There should be a bolt at the back that holds the clamp to the pedistal and the clamp itself fits in a groove around the distributor. I suspect its not posioned right to clamp it. Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 1, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 Thanks Danny I’ll check it tomorrow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrahamB Posted June 1, 2023 Report Share Posted June 1, 2023 1 hour ago, Jonah said: I could turn the distributor to get the light to switch on at No1 cylinder and then turn clockwise to turn off, which I understand should set the timing I assume you mean with No1 cylinder set to 6 deg BTDC for a Mk3 Spitfire. You are looking for the point that the light just turns on/off with the slightest of movement. Sorry if I am stating the obvious but it was not clear from your post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 Thanks Graham, you may have hit the nail on the head. I simply lined up the point on the timing cover with the dot on the pulley, then turned the distributor anti clockwise to turn on the light and then clockwise to turn it off. All of which I assume doesn’t take into account the 6 deg BTDC, is that right? Julian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 The rotor arm was pointing to No 1 cylinder while I did this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted June 2, 2023 Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 (edited) I think you may have set it a TDC. Just move the distributor clockwise little to see if it starts. Danny Edited June 2, 2023 by dannyb Mistake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 Thanks Danny I can get it started but it won’t maintain an idle, it just stalls Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josef Posted June 2, 2023 Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 Sounds like your timing is good enough to start but not ‘right’. With the engine running, possibly with the throttle held open a little (jamming a bit of card under the throttle linkage or having the choke open a tiny bit will work if you haven’t got a helper) if it won’t hold idle, turn the distributor again till the revs stop increasing, turn it back a fraction. If the engine will run without the throttle now then close the throttle. Repeat the process with the throttle at idle, tighten the clamp bolt and road test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 Thanks Josef, that will be my first job tomorrow i was beginning to think I had a distributor problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 Also I measured 6deg from TDC on the pulley and set the static timing using a 12v lamp, but the car was nowhere near starting in that position, I’ve had to turn the distributor clockwise by a considerable amount which is stretching the Speedo cable to get it to start Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 2, 2023 Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 1 hour ago, Jonah said: stretching the Speedo cable to Its the revcounter cable Pete if the orientation of the dizzy sounds like the drive gear is a few teeth out of time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2023 How can that be fixed, bearing in mind that the car was running well previously, although on the last road trip it ran rather roughly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 Did the clamp hold the dizzy and stop it turning as previous comments. Because if the clamp is tight on the dizzy body and also secured on the dizzy pedistal and still the dizzy can move around then there could be a problem with the dizzy. I can't see why the dizzy drive would have moved a few teeth out on the cam if you have not removed the pedistal. Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 No but sometimes the fact the dizzy has been removed doesnt get mentioned by the poster😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 Good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 I did remove the distributor as when I was setting the static timing I could get it switch the light on and off but a light touch on the distributor would make the light gone on again I thought removing and replacing the distributor might fix the problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 I think I can see the error of my ways! By taking the distributor out and turning the shaft I’ve made matters worse. setting the static timing now with the current position of the distributor in the drive won’t get the car anywhere near starting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannyb Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 You probably fitted the dizzy 180 deg out. Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 Ok if you removed the dizzy complete with is drive gear its very easy to put it back in the wrong position. However if you just took out the top section thats driven by an offset lug its much harder to put back in wrong. However a change of position would explain your symptoms.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 I took the distributor out as a unit, by drive gear do you mean the slotted lug in the engine block, if so that didn’t come out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 (edited) no its below that and takes the drive from the camshft you have to undo the pedestal to check /change its position which controls the orientation of the dizzy body so angles of the vac unit and tacho drive all fit without fouling etc. Pete on a different line give the rotor shaft a good push has the shaft worn this makes timing erratic as the thing wobbles about never giving the same points gap Edited June 3, 2023 by Pete Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 The clamp isn’t tightened yet but I just gave the shaft a good push and there is a lot of wobble which is what I found when using the 22v lamp to try and set the static timing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johny Posted June 3, 2023 Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 1 hour ago, Jonah said: I took the distributor out as a unit, by drive gear do you mean the slotted lug in the engine block, if so that didn’t come out Ok so drive gear untouched but it is just possible, especially if theres wear, to put the dizzy back into the slotted lug 180* out.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonah Posted June 3, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2023 Thanks Johny I’ll try inserting it at 180deg the other way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now