[Healeys] Starting a BJ8

[Michael Salter]

Not sure is this trick will help your nephew Simon but I have found that
because of the somewhat "dodgy" design of the original choke control on a
BJ8 it is a little difficult to get the control to apply the 2 chokes
fully.
To test that the chokes are being fully applied check that, as the choke
levers are pulled up as far as they can be by the cable, the fast idle rod
actually drops down and opens the throttles a little.
This rod is somewhat prone to seizing in the carb body which prevents the
choke(s) moving to full travel and, as others have mentioned, a cold engine
will only start with the chokes FULLY applied.
Michael S
BN1 #174

On Fri, Dec 16, 2016 at 12:14 PM, Bluehealey <bluehealey at gmail.com> wrote:

> I think it’s a feature of those 2” carbs.
>
> The air speed across the jet is quite low at cranking speed, much lower
> than with HD6’s as the 8’s have 30% larger choke area for the same volume
> of air being pulled by the induction.  As a result there is a need to get
> the jets pulled as low as possible to get fuel into the throats.
>
> The starter fluid trick seems to confirm that.
>
> AlanB
>
> [image: cid:image001.png at 01D18856.FC90FB60]
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] *On Behalf Of *
> BJ8Healeys
> *Sent:* 16 December 2016 15:27
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* Re: [Healeys] Starting a BJ8
>
>
>
> I live on the coast of the southern USA where winters are very mild.  My
> carbs and everything else are adjusted properly, but still my BJ8 is hard
> to start when it has been sitting for more than a few days -- even in the
> summer.  I have heard discussions before from people on the list about how
> their Healeys are hard to start, so I think it is a characteristic of the
> engine (assuming all adjustments are correct, of course).  The engine will
> start eventually, after multiple tries.  But if I just give both carbs a
> shot of starting fluid after filling the float bowls, then jump in, pull
> the choke full out, and turn the key he engine starts immediately, without
> all that grinding on the starter.  Starting fluid is cheap. Rebuilding the
> starter not so much.
>
>
>
> There is no accelerator pump on the SU carburetors to provide a rich
> mixture for starting, so "pumping" the accelerator pedal only opens and
> closes the throttle plates and does nothing to help the engine start.
>
>
>
> Steve Byers
>
> HBJ8L/36666
>
> BJ8 Registry
>
> AHCA Delegate at Large
>
> Havelock, NC
>
>
>
> *From:* Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Simon
> Lachlan <simon.lachlan at homecall.co.uk>
> *Sent:* December 16, 2016 11:07 AM
> *To:* healeys at autox.team.net
> *Subject:* [Healeys] Starting a BJ8
>
>
>
> My nephew has just recently acquired a very nice BJ8 which he imported
> from the US to France. Some of you may recall being asked for and kindly
> giving advice re vendors and cars etc.
>
> Now, the car is safely tucked up in a garage in Paris and all is well......
>
> Except.....except – there’s always an “except” or a “but” isn’t there? –
> except, it doesn’t really like starting. It needed a new battery which we’d
> been told to expect but, even with that, it’s a little slow to fire up.
>
> 10+/- attempts my nephew said.
>
> Now, I’m in England; the car’s in France and my nephew would be the first
> to admit that he’s never been a mechanic or owned a car remotely like a
> 3000. So, it’s very likely that his technique needs polish!
>
> (The fuel pump works; fuel get to the carbs. The ignition seems good and
> will soon be better (in my own humble opinion) with a Pertronix EI and a
> “Flamethrower”(?) coil.
>
> Leaving aside any worries as to potential problems with fuel or spark for
> the moment:-
>
> How do you guys start your BJ8s???
>
> One pump? No pump? Choke and foot half down?
>
> What do you do if it fires then goes dead again?.....give it a little pump
> when it coughs, then ease off?
>
> Yes, we know that they’re all a bit different as are we, but I’m trying to
> establish a start point. (No pun intended!)
>
> Simon
>
>
>
>
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-- 
*If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.*
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