6 replies to this topic

[Moke boy]

Hope someone can help. 1985 998cc. Ritz 47k on clock, seems genuine car.

A garage find, off road 12 years, stored in large dry garage, got running and it idles just fine, problem is that when under load it looses power, a little backfiring thru. the carb. I have replaced the Carb. with one I had spare (HS4), so not gummed up unlike the actual one that was on the car .

I have changed points, condenser, rota arm, dizzy cap, leads and plugs, oil and filter change. The car had been fitted with an LCB with single box RC 40, but looks like someone has cut down the standard cast iron combined manifold into an inlet unit. Rest of the car standard and all solid.. I could not find out why the car was taken off the road ! Family members sold car for another with no info.

After changing the ignition system I tried the carb needle, the needle in the carb was an AAC, which I believe is std, but not for stage one, it really didn’t like this, so the next was an AAM, ran much better, idles nicely, but still a problem. Just tried AAU the std. stage 1 for 998 I believe, but no real change.

I discovered that the points seemed to be closing up, so I had thought that was the problem, so adjusted ensured the felt pad was lubricated, but they still closed down, so replaced them, but same thing seems to be happening. The screw is tight and with locking washer, although the blue plastic bush if you like that is in contact with the shaft is not in contact for its full height, but I have removed points to ensure their not seated incorrectly, seems best I can do. Replaced coil ( ballasted) , with second hand one, no change.

I know the wax stat choke is sticking, but when I know it has correctly returned ( pushed back up when warm) the main problem persists, thought the correct needle would stop any potential flooding.

So any advice gratefully received. Would this old inlet manifold affect it, noticed when warm for first 5 mins that small stream of smoke appears up from between inlet, wonder if leaking fuel. Could tappet gaps make this much difference or timing for that matter, not checked these yet.

Many thanks.

[bmcecosse]

Check the valve gaps and run a compression test on the engine. It's 'never' the coil!! So put the old one back on. And is the vacuum advance working??

[Algordo1100]

Hows your Ign timing? Starting and ticking fine but no power and back-farts under load sound like your dizzy might need a twist to me. Sounds somewhat retarded (like me )

Al

[carbon]

Would suggest fitting a new carb dashpot spring, red type from MiniSpares. Last one I got was slightly longer and worked a treat in a 998 with HS4 that was running weak under load.

[jime17]

I'd think the points gap closing is possibly an issue.

[Moke boy]

Thanks Guys, I checked the Vac advance last night, that seems to operate.

Will look at the others at the weekend, still do'n't know why the points should be closing up, I am
hoping the solution is dizzy or Carb related.

Edited by Moke boy, 14 November 2012 - 05:08 PM.

[Yoda]

The points closing up is probably due to rust on the dizzy shaft rotor, which is wearing down the plastic heel too fast. If so get it cleaned up and get back here for the next thing to check.