Had another look today with Adey (from the Earlybay forum) and Nige. The issue with the dizzy is the rotor is out by about 15 degrees or so, so the distributor drive in the engine block needed to be moved anti-clockwise to put it in the correct orientation so Nige had a good idea of how to do this which worked. Static then strobe to check the timing and now looks spot on. But - engine still won't start. On the key it seems to turnover slowly which we think could be the issue or the jets in the carb so will have another look next weekend. So close and all that!
Hmmm. No, that didn't do anything useful. It's all relative as they say, so turning both the distributor drive and then the distributor body playing catch up didn't alter anything in terms of when the spark sparks. Have you static timed it? An easy way to get it going, assuming it's getting fuel, is one man turn the key, other turns the distributor until it starts while monitoring with your timing gun which will work on the starter. saves all the messing about. Too much advance slows the engine on the starter if that could be a clue.
We static timed it then used a strobe - the timing looks about right. Just not catching - it is trying but doesn't!
Try backing the timing off a bit just to get it going, it should spin faster. I'd go for 3 degs but anything less advanced than you have will help. Once it's started and you have the carb tuned etc it'll start every time I'm sure. It's not unusual.
Cheers - I think we did back it off slightly but not sure by how much - will have another go this weekend.
The engine works Massive thanks to Nige and Adey from Earlybay forum. Will get a vid up hopefully later once the van battery is charged
19.12.2020 After getting the engine working thought it best to start on the foot pedal and linkage. I bought a replacement but decided to go for a Buttys Bits replacement so duly ordered and arrived a few days back. Followed the instructions and all connected up: Then mounted the pedal: Then I needed to mount the spring to the arm that connects to the throttle cable but looks like someone had made their own stop thingy so nothing to mount it to So - how to sort this out?? Also, I need a cable connecting thingy for the carb end as I don't have one !!
Cool. I got a Butty’s Bitts pedal linkage when I discovered (inadvertently when suddenly loosing all ability to accelerate) that my pedal was held in place by piece of wire Great service from the guy. Mechanically the product seems great, but if it’s like mine you might as well sand and paint it now, because the paint came off in a matter of weeks. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Paint came off?? The linkage is from the pedal to the cross bar, all stainless steel so shouldn't need painting.
22.12.2020 Smelt fuel so ducked under the van it is dripping from the fuel pipe coming from the bottom of the fuel tank so took it out to have a look as no matter how tight I made it, fuel still dripped out A pick of the filter with a notch in it that may be the cause - suggestions welcome!! Looks like the pipe from this to the fuel filter may be a bit too big - measured 7.5mm ID while the pipe coming from the fuel tank is 6.5mm OD so will have to see if I can get smaller pipes. Also, the spring that attaches to the throttle rod near where the cable attaches, the stop tab is in the way so I will not be able to connect the spring as I wanted - will probably have to use the same hole that the cable connects to. Will struggle to drill a hole into the chassis due to not much room but will see (bloody cold this morning under the van!!).
