Oops, it looks like I misspoke on the spark plug type. The L82YC are
what was in the car when I first got it, and are the wrong type since I
do have the later head that requires the 3/4" reach plugs. What is
actually in it now are Champion N5C plugs.
About the carbs. I didn't do any of the work, as I know my limitations!
The rebuild and install was done by a local expert, who is a full time
British car only mechanic with more than 30 years experience. He's far
more qualified than me to install and set carbs, which is why I did not
expect to see this problem again.
The black deposits on the plugs are what I would believe to be carbon.
It's dry and hard but pretty thick on the #3 and #4 plugs. I have a
little smoke from the exhaust, but it's pretty minimal so I don't
believe I have any serious ring problem.
In general, the engine runs pretty good actually so this isn't really
that big a problem. If I have to clean the plugs every 1000 miles I can
live with that but if there's a way to improve it that would be nice.
--Nels Anderson
Clive Sherriff wrote:
> Nels,
>
> A few things spring to mind -
>
> 1 Is your cylinder head a later one that needs 3/4 in reach plugs not
> the 1/2 inch of the L82xx plugs?
>
> 2 Though the carbs have been rebuilt, did you just bolt them on and
> go, or did you fit them and then carefully set them up correctly by
> adjusting fuel mix, balancing them etc?
>
> 3 When you say "black material" I assume you means a fine carbon
> deposit which would be the result of too rich a fuel mixture. On the
> other hand if its a thicker oily deposit it would lead me to think the
> pistons and rings are shot, and/or the cylinder walls are worn
> /scoured and a rebore is needed. In the latter case you would probably
> also be getting a bit of blue smoke from the exhaust too.
>
> Clive
> Oxford, UK
> ===========================
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nels Anderson" <nels@flightsim.com>
> To: <mg-t@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 11:13 PM
> Subject: [Mg-t] Fouled Spark Plugs
>
>
>> It seems that as long as I've had my '53 TD the spark plugs have
>> fouled on a regular basis. Last summer I had the carbs professionally
>> rebuilt and adjusted and expected that to solve the problem. But
>> today I tried to drive the car and it was running so rough I turned
>> right around and went home.
>>
>> I pulled the plugs and found #3 fouled (black material between
>> points) and #4 somewhat caked with black material but not fouled. #1
>> and #2 were black but not so bad looking. This is pretty much the
>> same thing I used to see before the carbs were rebuilt.
>>
>> Carbs were rebuilt last September, 1300 miles ago.
>> Plugs were new last September, 1200 miles ago.
>> Ignition wires were new in 2007.
>> Distributor cap, etc. new in 2004.
>>
>> So I'm wondering what I can do to reduce this fouling? Would hotter
>> spark plugs work; I'm currently using Champion L82YC. Would a sport
>> coil help (hotter spark)? And if so, I believe the plugs have to be
>> regapped; to what setting? Currently they are gapped between .020 and
>> .022 according to the book.
>>
>> Thanks for any help.
>>
>> --Nels Anderson
>> ______________________________________________
>>
>> Mg-t@autox.team.net
>> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
>> Suggested annual donation $11.47
>> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
>> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
>> Unsubscribe/Manage:
>> http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/mg-t/clive.sherriff@ntlworld.com
______________________________________________
Mg-t@autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $11.47
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
|