Greg, if you have an induction (clip over the wire type) timing light, put that
on the coil HT lead, then check the same on all four plug leads, just to check
when the engine turns that you at least have HT going to the plugs.
I did this but still had a problem due to the PO putting the leads one cylinder
out but in the correct order. I had labelled the leads and put them back as
they were done by the PO. Double check not just the order (1,3,4,2?) as I did
but that the actual leads go to the correct plugs. Cylinder 1 as I remember is
on the distributer cap on the connection closest to the block and the front of
the car. (You may want to check the manuals in case I have it wrong). Took me a
while to figure it out.
You can always try some starter fluid to see. If that works and the engine runs
and dies then its a fuel problem.
Alan
('76 spitfire - running, well sort of!)
-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Hendrix [mailto:gahendrix@att.net]
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2000 9:59 AM
To: Spitfire List (E-mail); Triumph List (E-mail)
Subject: Gettin' 'er Fired UP!
Listers,
I just rebuilt my ZS carb on my '74 Spitfire and I'm up against at least a
couple of odds.
First, I don't have a clue where to start with settings. The old carb body
had been damaged by the po (ran the air cleaner bolt too far and knocked a
hole in the carb body behind the flange), so this is a used carb from a
donor. I have the Haynes Spitfire book and Haynes carb book (I used it to
rebuild the carb with the std kit), but I'll be doggoned if I can find where
to set the idle screw, etc. It also means I don't know the history of the
carb, and my car wasn't a runner when I got it (boy, am I beginning to
sweat...) I do have decent compression on all cylinders, and I installed new
plugs (gapped as per Haynes).
Second, when I turn the engine over, I'm not convinced that I'm getting
spark at the plugs. They looked pretty wet when I pulled them (after it
wouldn't start).
FWIW, it wouldn't turn over this morning, even on a fresh overnight charge
(turn the key - nothing). I had picked up a new coil earlier, and figured
what the heck, now's a good time to see if the new one will fix the problem.
It did in the sense that now it'll at least try to start.
Any help would be very much appreciated.
Greg Hendrix
Downingtown, PA
'74 Spitfire (in traction and on a respirator)
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