Steph,
Change the points, plugs, cap, rotor and condensor with all new parts --
it's long overdue. Then set the timing correctly. Replace your fuel
filters if you have any and look into your gas tank for rust and debris. If
the gas tank looks clean, install an inline filter anyway, just before your
fuel pump. Pour a bottle of Gumout in your gas tank and drive that puppy
around. Hey, you might as well do things right while you're tuning the
engine. Adjust the valves while the engine is cold and change the oil, too.
Based on my personal experience I'd suggest 20w50. So long as your engine
is sound, if you follow these steps, your car should pur like a kitten
provided that your carbs don't require a rebuild. If you've got dual SU's,
make certain that you balance them after doing everything else first. Good
luck.
Best wishes,
Jeff in San Diego
'67 RHD Spitfire Mk3 aka "Mrs. Jones"
Jeff's Classic '67 Spitfire Mk3 site & Vintage Spitfire Webring
http://www.ohms.com/spitfire/spitfire.shtml
home of the NEW Totally Triumph Auction
"By Triumph enthusiasts, for Triumph enthusiasts"
http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRauction.cgi
and... The Triumph Autos/Parts Wanted Listings
http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/TRwanted.cgi
The Vintage Spitfire Forum -- moderated and friendly
http://www.ohms.com/cgi-bin/spitforum.cgi
...plus a few other surprises!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
----- Original Message -----
From: Stephane St-Amant <steph71tr6@crosswinds.net>
To: Spitfires List <spitfires@autox.team.net>; TRIUMPH LIST
<triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 6:08 AM
Subject: Spit hard to start
>
> Hello again,
>
> Well, the spit is almost ready for the safety, just needs new tire and
it's
> ready (I hope!!!).
>
> One thing I haven't been able to fix yet is the starting. When the engine
> is cold, I just can't get the engine to start without using some carb
> cleaner right down the throat.
>
> I pull the choke to the max, pump the gas pedal a few times but still
> nothing. Sometimes I will get one or two turns on it's own but never
enough
> to keep running. I haven't done a rebuilt of the carb yet (although I do
> have a rebuilt kit ready to be installed). The cables, spark plugs and
> dist. cap, points and condenser have been in the car for at least ten
years
> (the number of years it has been sitting in a garage!).
>
> Once started, it idles smooth and runs fine. I went around the block a
few
> times (actually enough to add 15 miles to the odo in the last 3 days), and
> the engine ran quite nicely up to 4000 rpm (I didn't want to go more than
> that for now).
> So my guess is that the carb is probably OK but since I'm new at this, I
> maybe waaaay in left field! ;-)
>
> Any thought on what could be the problem? I'd don't really want to open
the
> bonnet up everytime I want to start the car when it's cold!
> BTW, I'm running a single ZS CD-150 (for now) on the '69.
>
> Once again, TIA
> Steph
> Ottawa, Canada
> '69 Spit - Hers (Now running under it's own power!)
> '71 TR6 - Mine (Getting jealous!)
>
|