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Gentlemen, start my engine!

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Tintinmilou

Tintinmilou

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Before I go any further, I'd like to benefit from the wisdom of the group...
I've just completed my first engine rebuild for Tintin. I got "Dr. Doolins'" tape, and I've been consulting my Haynes manual dutifully.
I've set the static timing as well as I can.
I just cranked the engine for the first time, and aside from not starting, there's some concerning behavior. About every second, there's an outblow from the carbs. Also, it does seem to want to cough once in a while, but it seems to be kicking against the starter, not with it.
Is this just an indication that my timing is way too far advanced, or something worse?

What sayeth the collective wisdom of the group?
crazy.gif
 
Don't know about "collective wisdom" but it does sound like a timing issue. If you're sure your cam gear alignment is right, it may be a distributor problem. Have you tried turning the distributor while cranking? What happens then?

Mickey
 
Timing issue for sure.. It's easy to get the cam installed 180 degrees out, and some distributers that don't have an offset key mount can be installed all manner of degrees out, the most common being 180..You'll have to go back to basics and check everything again. You can check your cam timing best by taking everything apart..

At TDC on your crank your #1 cyl intake and exhaust valves should be loose if it is a compression stroke. you can actually determine the opening and closing degrees with a degree wheel ( which you probably don't have ) and a dial indicater..( ditto..)

At this point the dist rotor should also be pointing directly at the #1 post. If you have a side wire entry dist cap it's easy to get confused on which post is actually for which wire, so check that again. Check that the wires are in the right firing order for the dist rotation...And double check your valve clearance.

Starting a new motor is the most worring part of a rebuild.. I feel for ya! Good luck!
Oh and don't be afraid to turn the dist while cranking, just grab it at the base, not by the wires. These are not GM HEI distributers, and any shock ( which is unlikely ) won't hurt you, just startle you..

[ 04-12-2004: Message edited by: TypeRboy ]</p>
 
You could time it staticly by using a 12 volt test light. Rotate the engine till the #1 cylinder is almost TDC on it's compression stroke and line up the timing mark, then hook up the test lamp between the low tension lead to the distributor and ground, turn on your ignition switch to the on position. If the test lamp lights rotate the distributor anticlockwise till it goes out, then clockwise till it just comes on. If the test lamp wasn't lite then turn the distributor clockwise till it just lights. Tighten the distributor clamp and give it a try. If it runs okay then you could recheck it with a timing light.
 
sounds like the sparkplugs have been wired in the wrong direction of rotation. Have made that mistake a couple of times myself.
 
Not yet. I REALLY hate handling the high-tension side while under power...

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mickey Richaud:
Don't know about "collective wisdom" but it does sound like a timing issue. If you're sure your cam gear alignment is right, it may be a distributor problem. Have you tried turning the distributor while cranking? What happens then?

Mickey<hr></blockquote>

rolleyes.gif
 
Which TDC did you set the timing to? There's one with both valves closed, and there's one with the the valves open. I helped a buddy almost set fire to his Opel GT because he synched the distributor to the wrong TDC. Take the rocker cover off and set the distributr to TDC when the rocker arms on #1 are both up. If you've set the timing to fire with the vavles open you will draw gas into the cylinder util you get enough to fire - the result will be an occasional spectacular belch of flame out of the carb.
 
OK, Since I paid REAL CLOSE ATTENTION and was VERY CAREFUL when I reinstalled the distributor, the only explanation is that one of you guys snuck into my garage in the night and reversed it! Which one was it? Fess up!
When I set the timing and valves to TDC, there was my rotor, pointing at #4! LUCAS!
It was startling how well it started once I reinstalled it the right way. And when I checked the timing, I had it almost exactly at 16 degrees BTDC.
I'm in MG heaven.
The frustrating part is that I now have to wait until I rebuild the brakes and clutch hydraulics before I can start breaking in this new engine...
Thanks for the advice, people!
Oh yes, one other thing MGs are good for: they teach you to be humble!
england.gif
 
Oh good....I am glad the "shop Gremilins" have left my garage to inhabit someone else's for a while....maybe once my shocks get here, I will be able to reassemble Dolly's front end and get out to enjoy the great spring weather we are having now!

another problem solved...and yes, it is so nice to get the job done...only to move onto the next!
driving.gif


Bruce
cheers.gif
 
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