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Non-Starting 1275

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#1 Sam0400

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Posted 21 July 2019 - 03:35 PM

Hello All,

 

Having some problems getting my mini to start...

 

It's a 1968 Morris Mini, original 850 with positive earth now 1275 with negative. 

It has fuel, air and spark all getting to the cylinder and I have timed it relative to TDC of cylinder one (both exhaust and intake valves shut).

All the electrics are new (Distributor, Coil, Battery, HT leads and spark plugs) along with the carbs being brand new twin 1 1/4 SU's.

I have tried using easy start, adjusting the distributor while cranking, reseting the carbs, etc. with no sign of life. 

 

Anyone have any ideas?

 

Thanks in advance

 

S



#2 nicklouse

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Posted 21 July 2019 - 06:08 PM

Static timing set to what?

And rotor arm pointing at the correct plug.

#3 richmondclassicsnorthwales

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Posted 21 July 2019 - 06:20 PM

Electrical

 

LT lead attached ?

 

Correctly fitted LT leads on the points correct.. 

 

Rotor arm all good ?



#4 richmondclassicsnorthwales

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Posted 21 July 2019 - 06:21 PM

Definitely fuel going in ?



#5 Sam0400

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Posted 21 July 2019 - 06:58 PM

Definitely fuel getting to the cylinder as the plugs are wet/smell when I remove them. It tries to start when easy start is put into the intakes but does not start burning fuel.

 

LT lead fitted and rotor arm is brand new, getting good spark when plus are removed and put against the head.

 

The rotor arm does not point at cylinder one when it should be firing.



#6 cal844

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Posted 22 July 2019 - 09:30 AM

How old is the fuel? Try draining the old stuff and fill with fresh fuel

#7 carbon

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Posted 22 July 2019 - 07:25 PM

If you're getting signs of life with Easystart then chances are it's the carb set-up.

 

But back to Nick's question, what static advance are you using?



#8 Magneto

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Posted 23 July 2019 - 01:24 AM

 

The rotor arm does not point at cylinder one when it should be firing.

 

I think you found your problem!



#9 Sam0400

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Posted 23 July 2019 - 08:36 PM

 

 

The rotor arm does not point at cylinder one when it should be firing.

 

I think you found your problem!

 

 

Daft question but surely if the valves are opening at the right time then all i need to do is rotate the dissy round to match the rotor location?

If not what could it be causing the rotor arm to be at the wrong orientation? 



#10 Sam0400

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Posted 23 July 2019 - 08:38 PM

How old is the fuel? Try draining the old stuff and fill with fresh fuel

 

It doesn't smell too stale but this was going to be my next port of call as it has been sat for a few months now.

 

 



#11 cal844

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Posted 23 July 2019 - 09:08 PM


How old is the fuel? Try draining the old stuff and fill with fresh fuel


It doesn't smell too stale but this was going to be my next port of call as it has been sat for a few months now.




Taste it... soak your finger with the fuel, then touch your tongue and wait a couple of seconds... If your tongue stings like a hot curry your fuel is ok
.. If your tongue doesn't sting the fuel is off, best drained and replaced with fresh

#12 gazza82

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Posted 23 July 2019 - 10:13 PM

The rotor arm does not point at cylinder one when it should be firing.

 
I think you found your problem!
 
Daft question but surely if the valves are opening at the right time then all i need to do is rotate the dissy round to match the rotor location?
If not what could it be causing the rotor arm to be at the wrong orientation?

Distributor drive shaft is wrongly positioned.

#13 Rorf

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Posted 24 July 2019 - 05:48 AM

 

 

 

The rotor arm does not point at cylinder one when it should be firing.

 

I think you found your problem!

 

 

Daft question but surely if the valves are opening at the right time then all i need to do is rotate the dissy round to match the rotor location?

If not what could it be causing the rotor arm to be at the wrong orientation? 

 

 

To find the No 1 firing (compression position) with the rocker cover off turn the engine over by hand until No 4 valves are both rocking (No 7 and 8 valves). Then check whether the rotor is pointing to the No 1 spark plug lead in the distributor cap.

 

The usual set up is for the rotor to be at about the 2 oclock position when No 1 is at the firing position. 

 

Many people make the mistake of relying on the flywheel position or the degree position of the crank pulley at TDC and then you could have either No 4 or No 1 at the firing position.

 

Another way to check is on turning the engine over with plugs out, with your thumb over No 1 plug hole you will feel a build up of pressure when that piston comes up on its compression stroke.



#14 Dusky

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Posted 24 July 2019 - 06:18 AM


How old is the fuel? Try draining the old stuff and fill with fresh fuel

It doesn't smell too stale but this was going to be my next port of call as it has been sat for a few months now.



Taste it... soak your finger with the fuel, then touch your tongue and wait a couple of seconds... If your tongue stings like a hot curry your fuel is ok
.. If your tongue doesn't sting the fuel is off, best drained and replaced with fresh

What about not putting carcinogenic chemicals in your mouth and just put it in a glass jar,let it sit a few minutes and look at it. Like, that's something that works. Because even stale fuel will sting and burn.

#15 cal844

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Posted 24 July 2019 - 09:41 AM


How old is the fuel? Try draining the old stuff and fill with fresh fuel

It doesn't smell too stale but this was going to be my next port of call as it has been sat for a few months now.


Taste it... soak your finger with the fuel, then touch your tongue and wait a couple of seconds... If your tongue stings like a hot curry your fuel is ok
.. If your tongue doesn't sting the fuel is off, best drained and replaced with fresh
What about not putting carcinogenic chemicals in your mouth and just put it in a glass jar,let it sit a few minutes and look at it. Like, that's something that works. Because even stale fuel will sting and burn.

Now you see that's wrong....

But yes I agree that there are safer options

Edited by cal844, 24 July 2019 - 09:41 AM.






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