I suggest starting to eliminate problems one at a time.
First thing is to check your timing.
The "Dieseling" is usually due to improper timing settings.
-----Original Message-----
From: SpitfireKP@aol.com [mailto:SpitfireKP@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, July 17, 2000 9:01 AM
To: spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: messy startup - need advice
My 74 Spit has been running well, but I have been having trouble with
starting. The car does not start easily, even when it is 90+ outside. I have
a brand new starter, and the car started more easily when it was below
freezing outside. I have to have the choke on and pump the gas, regardless
of the engine temp, and when it finally starts, a puff of black smoke comes
out of the exhaust pipe. I think that sometimes I smell gasoline at this
moment as well. After about 10 seconds, the engine will stall if I don't
keep my foot on the gas. The car stalls at stop signs if I decelerate too
quickly. When I turn the car off, It has a tendancy to run for a little
while after I have taken the key out. To avoid the embarassment of this, I
generally leave it in gear and ease my foot off the clutch after I have
taken the key out. When I inspected what happened under the hood as it ran
with the ignition off, the engine's final post-ignition puff blew some sort
of vapor out of the carburator t!
!
he wrong way. I had the carburator (single stromberg) professionally tuned
about 6 months/300 miles ago. (I was at school, so my car wasn't driven from
January until May.) About a month ago, the little screw in the top of carb
that stops the throttle return vibrated out. I had attributed the stalling
at stop signs to that, and until I could get the proper screw, I just left
the choke slightly on. I have put a makeshift screw in its place, but the
problem has not been solved. Also, I am doubtful that the tough starting and
the black smoke are attributable to the screw missing. I have checked, and
there was oil in the carb when this started, and the engine has new oil.
While driving, the engine runs fine. Any ideas about what is going on here?
Kris Powell
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