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Electronic Ignition. Spark But Not Starting


Best Answer cal844 , 20 May 2018 - 06:38 PM

Fixed!

Timing was just miles out, loosened the distributor and turned it about 1/4 anti clockwise (im sure theres a more technical way of explaining that) and it fired straight up.
so next time I visit someone with a strobe light Ill get it timed up properly but it starts and runs again!


Now we have a coolant leak 😭

You don't actually need a timing light, my dad hasn't used one in 30 years of tinkering and building cars.

Simply mark the dizzy and block(used as a reference for when you need to adjust)

Loosen the dizzy clamp bolt(s) just enough so you can make small adjustments.

Start engine and set idle to 2000 rpm, disconnect and block vacuum advance pipe.

Make adjustment listening to engine for pinking and also a lift in RPM, the engine rpm should rise and fall, you want to go for max rpm then retard a small amount (1/2°) tighten clamp bolt once your happy.

Reset idle(if you used the fast idle adjust screw)

Kill engine.


Connect vac advance then start the engine, it should start straight away and rev up cleanly. Double check everything is connected and tight

Road test.(drive the same route in the same direction, ideally you want to get upto 60/70 mph, it shouldnt misfire, or feel held back during the rev range.)

Sounds alot but we can get a car spot on within an hour Go to the full post


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#1 TheFabMini

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 06:49 PM

Hi all

Decided to fit an accuspark electronic ignition. Followed the steps and all seemed simple enough. Turned the key and it just spins over and over
I thought Id done something wrong and wasnt getting spark so I took a plug out and spun the engine over and surprisingly saw a nice strong looking spark jumping across...

But we have no life!

Engine was running pretty good on points and condenser, what have I fudged up now!

#2 hhhh

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 07:00 PM

The most obvious thing would be the timing is out. Any chance you swapped wires or got it 180 degrees out?



#3 TheFabMini

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 07:12 PM

The most obvious thing would be the timing is out. Any chance you swapped wires or got it 180 degrees out?


Ht leads are numbered and the cap only happily goes on 1 way.... how else could I have messed up and got it wrong way??

I dont have a timing light so is there a cheat way of doing it

#4 spraybeater

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 08:00 PM

I bought and fitted Accuspark Electronic Ignition! did have to tweak the timing 

a bit to get it running properly, now gone back to points as the accuspark lasted

350mls and gave up, had to get recovered home. Cheapo/crapo IMHO

At least with points its easy to fix roadside, having said that back in the day we

ran Piranha electronic ign in both road and race mini with no problems.



#5 timmy850

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Posted 19 May 2018 - 09:54 PM

Did you remove the distributor from the engine? Its possible you could have installed the rotor 180 degrees out from where it was

Some info here
http://www.theminifo...3-firing-order/

#6 TheFabMini

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Posted 20 May 2018 - 07:03 AM

Did you remove the distributor from the engine? Its possible you could have installed the rotor 180 degrees out from where it was

Some info here
http://www.theminifo...3-firing-order/


Distributor was left in hoping to avoid any problems... Ill have a read up and see if it helps

#7 TheFabMini

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Posted 20 May 2018 - 11:48 AM

Fixed!

Timing was just miles out, loosened the distributor and turned it about 1/4 anti clockwise (im sure theres a more technical way of explaining that) and it fired straight up.
so next time I visit someone with a strobe light Ill get it timed up properly but it starts and runs again!


Now we have a coolant leak 😭

Edited by ChrisRuffell, 20 May 2018 - 04:02 PM.


#8 cal844

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Posted 20 May 2018 - 06:38 PM   Best Answer

Fixed!

Timing was just miles out, loosened the distributor and turned it about 1/4 anti clockwise (im sure theres a more technical way of explaining that) and it fired straight up.
so next time I visit someone with a strobe light Ill get it timed up properly but it starts and runs again!


Now we have a coolant leak 😭

You don't actually need a timing light, my dad hasn't used one in 30 years of tinkering and building cars.

Simply mark the dizzy and block(used as a reference for when you need to adjust)

Loosen the dizzy clamp bolt(s) just enough so you can make small adjustments.

Start engine and set idle to 2000 rpm, disconnect and block vacuum advance pipe.

Make adjustment listening to engine for pinking and also a lift in RPM, the engine rpm should rise and fall, you want to go for max rpm then retard a small amount (1/2°) tighten clamp bolt once your happy.

Reset idle(if you used the fast idle adjust screw)

Kill engine.


Connect vac advance then start the engine, it should start straight away and rev up cleanly. Double check everything is connected and tight

Road test.(drive the same route in the same direction, ideally you want to get upto 60/70 mph, it shouldnt misfire, or feel held back during the rev range.)

Sounds alot but we can get a car spot on within an hour

Edited by cal844, 20 May 2018 - 06:40 PM.





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