Probable cause?

[Baz]

Won't start.
Static timing looked good, marks, rotor on dizzy, valves etc. Power to all the right places. Nothing.
Pulled the plugs, damp. Looked oily.
Why oily? New plugs, never used, in fact the motor hasn't run since I put them in.
I can't tell if it's gas and carbon mixed in to give the appearance of oily, or it is, in fact oil, not much of a smell to it if it is gas.
I've put a couple of hundred miles on it since I had a valve job, and the plugs I pulled a few weeks ago were perfect in colour.
Any ideas?

 

[regularman]

Its probably gas. It looks kinda oily when on a plug. Check with a spare plug to see if you have any spark at all.

 

[weewillie]

is there gas in it and is it fresh?

 

[SilentUnicorn]

start checking electrical connections


mark

 

[racingenglishcars]

I would start with a compression test. Remember there are three things your engine needs to start. Compression, fuel, spark.

The compression has to be good enough (over 110) and of course that the pressure will leave after combustion (exhaust valves open, exhaust isn't blocked).

The fuel must be within the burn limits. It can come into the cylinder, not too rich, not too lean, in vapour form and not too much residual fuel on the piston top.

The spark must come at the right time and be able to jump the electrodes under pressure of compression. No oil or fuel on the spark plug to short the spark. No shorting through the dizzy cap or anything like that.

Good luck.

 

[Baz]

Here's my compression #'s, unremarkable really..
#1 130 Dry, 140 Wet
#2 120 Dry, 130 Wet
#3 125 Dry, 130 Wet
#4 125 Dry, 135 Wet
All hold steady.

I followed the fuel system. Ouch. For some reason, my choke linkage has not been going back down, it's about 1/2 way up, and required me to push it back, so I'll check the spring on that later.
That being said, gas it is, I pulled all the plugs, left the holes open and will try cranking her later.

So I have compression, I testd the plug wires and have spark, and apparently TOO MUCH gas not in vapour form!!!

How long before this dries out?

 

[healeyboz]

It shouldn't take long. I would go ahead and put the new plugs in her and fire it up. Use a little starting fluid if needed. Get fresh gas in there!

 

[regularman]

If its flooded, hold the gas pedal to the floor and crank it a while. This will get rid if the excess fuel in a hurry.

 

[Baz]

The LBC Gods are smiling today. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
It started, it ran, it ran some more, advanced the timing a couple more degrees and she ran better up to 6k rpm, then brought her on home.
Idles a little rough, nearer the 600 mark, a little too low for my tastes, and I won't be using the choke anytime soon.
Cheers all!
/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cheers.gif

 

[jlaird]

Excellent, you on the golden path.

 

[racingenglishcars]

I'm proud of you.