8 replies to this topic

[mooseloose]

Hi All,

 

Just after a few pointers as myself and my son have tried everything we can think of.

 

We have an Austin Mini City E 998cc which has covered 49k but been sitting about for the past 29 years according the history i have from previous keeper.

 

We have removed the engine and stripped it down and rebuilt it with all the usual replacements including:

 

New Plugs

New Distributor

New Starter Motor

New Battery

HT Leads

Main Bearings

Piston Rings

Camshaft Liners

 

The issue is it nearly fires up but you can only hear two cylinders 1 and 4. Have done a compression test and cylinders 2 and 3 do not have as much compression.

 

Also done ignition timing, checked for spark and done cam timing.

 

Any pointers or what to try next would be a great help.

 

Thanks in advance.   

 

Cheers

 

Stuart

[gazza82]

You'll need to find out why 2 & 3 are down. Was the head rebuilt or checked for warping?

[mooseloose]

No the head was not rebuild

[johnR]

How much less compression?

[DeadSquare]

Are you in a rural part of Scotland ?

 

Can you find a quiet bit of road to tow the car ?

 

I have sometimes found that a car can be stared by towing it, and once it has been started once, it will fire up again.

[gazza82]

No the head was not rebuild

 

That's where I would start.

 

I rebuilt an 1098 engine in a similar way to you in the 80s which didn't run well when back in the car (MG Midget MkII) and I had not touched the head. I had two burnt out valves and most guides were worn. Also needed a small skim as it was slightly warped (helped up the compression ratio a bit!). Rebuilt by a friend's engine company (I didn't have time) with new valves, seats checked and reground with new valves, new guides, oil seals, etc and "normal service was resumed".

[cal844]

At the very least I would have relapped the valves. You'd be best to do a complete head overhaul or just buy one ready done

[mooseloose]

Many thanks to you all especially @cal844 and @gazza82 i will let you all know how its going when i get the head sorted

[cal844]

I'd also like to ask if you'd wrote the compression test results down, did you carry out a wet test?