7 replies to this topic

[Simont]

i finally got my engine in my car the other day,
new dizzy, and head gasket and cleaned the valve ports and re-seated the valves etc,
the engine starts and runs on about 3/4 choke, when you accelerate it coughs backfires, then accelerates,
as soon as you release the choke even a little, it basically dies,
it is running too lean?
struggling to get it running properly to time it etc,

i have a standard 998 A+ engine with a HS 4 carb,

[Cerberus]

Have you checked static timing, to make sure you're in the right ball park?

Pretty sure there's a basic 'first time' setup for the carb given in the Haynes manual, but I could be thinking of something else.

[bmcecosse]

Is the fuel level correct in the carb? Piston free to rise/fall in the carb? is there a spring above the piston, and a splash of oil inside the carb? What needle is in the carb ?

[irish.yobbo]

If it was running before you changed the dizzy, I'd be looking at that first.

The coughing when accelerating could mean it's too lean, but I'd suggest looking at the dashpot oil first. Try adjusting the idle screw so it doesn't need the choke.

[Simont]

what oil should i use in the dashpot?

[Alex_B]

Some people prefer 3 in1 oil, i just use 20w50 the same as in the engine, works well for me but try a few see what works best :)

[Simont]

i have some 30w shock oil... will that work ? thanks for your help, im hoping to get out there tonight,

[Rich286]

I use 3 in 1 oil, someone even told me they used vegetable oil before lol