00/63484 Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 Ok - so I fixed in a new dash to my modified 1500 spitfire powered Herald Convertible and carefully returned all cables correctly after a slight mishap with the light switch. I turned the key and everything lights up normally. Timings right, electronic ign perfect, cables firmly in, head screwed tight, compression V good, rockers and valves behaving normally, lots of sparkles at the plugs when sitting on the rocker cover, ...but no fire up. Old petrol perhaps? So I put new in and cleaned out the pipes. Cleaned the HS4s. Checked vacuum pipes. Am at my wits end - it has NEVER failed me before! Old Isleworth, West London if you're passing...! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 Have you checked no1 is on its firing stroke and no1 lead is where the rotor is pointing ?? And firing order 1342 anticlockwise from the no1 position Old fuel may not be up to scratch but it should still attempt to fire up.unless its got contaminated Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 6 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: Have you checked no1 is on its firing stroke and no1 lead is where the rotor is pointing ?? And firing order 1324 anticlockwise from the no1 position Old fuel may not be up to scratch but it should still attempt to fire up.unless its got contaminated Pete I was going to say the same thing but possibly without the typo on the firing order ? As Pete knows full well, it's 1342 With old fuel, a squirt of WD40 down the inlet will usually get it running. Have you also checked the float chambers are actually full? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 Edited its typing on a tablet witha mind of its own Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haggis Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 hi David , is the breather pipe from manifold to rocker cover connected? Mine wouldn’t start unless I put my thumb over the manifold hole. Hag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyman Posted October 10, 2018 Report Share Posted October 10, 2018 Brake cleaner works even better than WD40 if you have some? Tony. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickoz59herald Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 I’ve got a similar problem with my 948. Ran like a top, then became really hard to start over a week. It looks like the condenser in the distributor has failed. Might be worthwhile changing. Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 and with any car thats stood unused make sure that when you pull the choke the jet drops SU / the flap closes solex/ , the valve operates CDS, the barrier closes CD depending on just what make carb you have . just cause you pull the control doesnt mean anything happens at the engine end Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark powell Posted October 11, 2018 Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Pete Lewis said: and with any car thats stood unused make sure that when you pull the choke the jet drops SU / the flap closes solex/ , the valve operates CDS, the barrier closes CD depending on just what make carb you have . just cause you pull the control doesnt mean anything happens at the engine end Pete I'll second that, my choke cable outer sleeve was stretching. Sleeve moving, cable wasn't fully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00/63484 Posted October 11, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2018 All - famous unseen friends. many thanks. Yes, I spotted the firing order typo - at least I hope it was a typo and not foreign fake news... Condenser fail. Thats a possibuility even though there's plenty of sparkles at the plugs...I'll also treble check the SUs are ding their job properly. Firing order, timing all spot on. The WD40 gag I haven't tried since when I had to start diesel diggers in sub zero temperatures at 5 am when I was a student...although it could have been diesel cold start stuff when i think about it.. Pity really, am missing this clement late summer.. Thanks All...I'll let you know.. DF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00/63484 Posted October 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 No. Still nothing. am now going though cables one by one. Different coil. New condenser, This is driving me bananas...BANANAS I tell you... DF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 22, 2018 Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 do check you have 12 volt to the coil when cranking it over ??? Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 22, 2018 Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 Pete's good advice reminds me... make sure it's _really_ 12V. I had a rebuilt engine flatly refuse to do anything, despite cranking over quite happily and having known good fuel and ignition bits... until I changed the battery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted October 22, 2018 Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 David, You say it's got a good spark so It should try even if your battery's not too good. I notice your thread is called "start you blighter!" Have you tried a can of Easy start? A squirt into the carbs and if it tries electrics are OK and it's down to fuel supply. I've had good compression, good spark, correct timing, but no start. Turned out to be leaking manifold gasket, air sucked in through a leak rather than fuel. Are your plugs wet with fuel after all this churning? They should be! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00/63484 Posted October 22, 2018 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2018 LIGHTBULB moment - the 12v issue - need to check that one. Thanks, The battery has been places if you know what I mean... Thanks Pete and Doug ... DF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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