wimpus Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 Hi all. Nothing wrong with Fox (my car), but been asked to look at another Spitfire (get it running and brakes. Done all the checks, still not running. Spitting via the carbs.. Checked: -Firing order : ok -at TDC, piston no1 up , rotor arm at no 1 lead on the cap, inlet and outlet valve the same anount open (as said in the manual). -Condensor renewed with a well known working one. -Has good spark on all 4. -as running on points, set the timing with a 12v bulb. -moved dizzy a bit both ways.. still no luck. -carbs cleaned + new gaskets Now I really got me.. just dont know what im missing.. Any suggestions ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 I was going to ask: Is the spark on all four at the correct time? As in Dizzy 180 out? But maybe you've covered that. Other idea may be old / dead petrol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 6 minutes ago, wimpus said: same anount open (as said in the manual). dont like that both rockers should be with clearance on compression stroke not in balance /rocking with partly opening the valves if so this sounds like your 180 deg out get 7/8 rocking so 1/2 are both on a clearance tappet gap at tdc for compresion stokes Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted March 29, 2021 Report Share Posted March 29, 2021 As Pete says, I think you have it timed to no 4 not no 1. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted March 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 Need to have a think 😅 Could be its 180° out. But they tell me it has run before ! Engine was previously rebuild by Ivor Searle, looks brand new under the rocker cover.. Ps, fuel tank is disconnected, now pumping fuel out of a fresh can. Fuel pump work good (tested). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 I seem to remember the haynes book engine rebuild setting the timing 180 deg's out. 25years ago i rebuild an engine using that and it was out 180. After that only used workshop manuals. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
68vitesse Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 1 hour ago, wimpus said: But they tell me it has run before ! Used to repair computers, the retail end, learned never to trust what a customer told us. As others have said I'd suspect 180⁰ out. Or try this or similar. Regards Paul. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 if you are unsure about no1 on compression remove plugs stick thumb over no1 plug hole turn engine slowly till air is compressed against the thumb then turn on to TDC pointes then look at the rotor pointing as it wont start and fires out the carbs you must have it ...a bit wrong !! never accept the Ive done nothing, ive not touched anything , it ran last month , all cobblers time to re time Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badwolf Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 Stating the obvious I know, but it sounds a bit like the problem I have when two plug leads were reversed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mathew Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 39 minutes ago, Badwolf said: Stating the obvious I know, but it sounds a bit like the problem I have when two plug leads were reversed. A mate of mine used to have to park his motorbike on the front by his house, you guest it. One morning it would not start, someone during the night had swapped his leads round! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 and 1342 anticlockwise or unlucky , too old or 153624 anticlockwise .. too young, too old, just right helps remember the order Pete 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted March 30, 2021 Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 9 hours ago, Mathew said: I seem to remember the haynes book engine rebuild setting the timing 180 deg's out. 25years ago i rebuild an engine using that and it was out 180. After that only used workshop manuals. Haynes manual on the Rover 213S was also back to front regarding the lead order. The first time my GT6 rear halfshaft sheared (on the Mk3) the AA got me home at around 3am, and I asked the poor mechanic, who lived at the other end of the country and so still had to drive all the way back to his own bed, to have a look at my Rover while he was there. He sorted it in 30 seconds, having spotted the leads straightaway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted March 30, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2021 10 hours ago, Badwolf said: Stating the obvious I know, but it sounds a bit like the problem I have when two plug leads were reversed. Checked it a few times. Even against my own car.. they are fitted right 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted March 31, 2021 Report Share Posted March 31, 2021 your leads might well be correct but pretty sure the rotor is not pointing to No 1 on its compression stroke hence a fire back /spit from the carbs as the inlet is open Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted April 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 Today went to that Spitfire again... It was indeed 180° out ! Found bathroom silicone around the dizzy base ! (Says enough) Got it right and started straight up. Went for a short drive and drive good (went to 4500rpm as test). Now to sort out the interesting suspension... UJ's are bad.. one wheel can move 1cm in and out 😮 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted April 3, 2021 Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 I job down how many to go ?? glad its sorted Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wimpus Posted April 3, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 3, 2021 23 minutes ago, Pete Lewis said: I job down how many to go ?? glad its sorted Pete It needs 2 front top ball joints, steering track rod end, new UJ on the prop, new UJ on the right half shaft and 2 new core plugs at the dizzy.. they leak Then general clean of the cooling system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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