Yank poor starting, fixed it!

[mercrocker]

If you get the sucker running they will love it at Wheels Day.   Don't know about the new venue cos I haven't done it before but in the past has always been the best season opener by miles.   Loads of Yank stuff from unmolested 40s thru rods and customs to later stockers like the Marquis.  

[Timewaster]

I thought "results are in" meant you had got it started.

[danthecapriman]

I thought "results are in" meant you had got it started.

No, I just didn't change the thread title yet, since I was poking around trying to find a possible air leak at the servo, which wasn't there! Just me pulling duff theories out of my arse!

 

Edited now.

[Taff]

If you get the sucker running they will love it at Wheels Day.   Don't know about the new venue cos I haven't done it before but in the past has always been the best season opener by miles.   Loads of Yank stuff from unmolested 40s thru rods and customs to later stockers like the Marquis.  

 

I'm going to the alternative show at Popham this year mate, not taking the Galaxie sadly.

[mercrocker]

Is that the May one?  Don't think I can make it if it is.....Will be at Basingstoke Festival tho.

[Taff]

Is that the May one?  Don't think I can make it if it is.....Will be at Basingstoke Festival tho.

 

no, tomorrow mate

[Slappy]

<thread drift> Dan, this B reg transit, not orange is it? 1 passed me coming down the Eastern Road the other morning. Made my day that did. </thread drift>

[danthecapriman]

<thread drift> Dan, this B reg transit, not orange is it? 1 passed me coming down the Eastern Road the other morning. Made my day that did. </thread drift>

It is B reg but not orange. Mines this one.

It doesn't venture out much though!

 

The orange one you've seen is a semi high roof, twin wheeler (3.5t) isn't it?

I've seen this one around, down in Portsmouth a bit, never been able to get a pic though. It was in Stamshaw the other day when I saw it.

There's also a short wheel base van with sliding cab door, yellow, ex AA still with the old roof box on it, drives around often in the Eastney area. Haven't managed a pic of that one either!

[Slappy]

Yeah, that's the one. It was making a tonne of noise and not much progress. I'll keep an eye out for it again then, but you can hardly miss it! Will definitely be looking out for the yellow one too, I recently moved to the Eastney area.

 

Anyway, as you were. Good luck with getting to the bottom of this.

[danthecapriman]

Well, I've had a play with the Mercury this morning. And....

 

...ITS WORKING!

 

The cause, the condenser!

 

Took the old one out which looked almost new. New one in and it fired straight up, settling to a lovely idle. Gave it a rev and it's silk smooth. Just the way it was before.

 

Goes to show that you shouldn't overlook the basics! I tested for a spark, which it had, but it was clearly not anywhere near powerful enough.

Slightly annoyingly I bought an electronic ignition kit to replace all the points and condenser, for the reason that the new parts seem to be of totally shit quality. If I'd of fitted that it would have worked ages ago. Benefits of hindsight and all that.

Now I'm going to change the oil and filter as it smells a bit petrol like from excessive cranking and no firing. Then I'll leave the points and condenser alone for a while before fitting the electronic ignition set up, just to make sure it's all ok. Then I need to fit the new master cylinder aswell.

 

So, thank you very much everyone for all the positive help and suggestions. I'd probably still not of found the problem without it!

[purplebargeken]

It now works which is the main thing. Very satisfying outcome

[Inspector Morose]

(Smug mode on)

 

Glad you've fixed it!

[danthecapriman]

(Smug mode on)

Glad you've fixed it!

Indeed!

 

Beer's on me!

[Bren]

Glad it's sorted.

 

I was going to suggest putting a ford V4 in it.....

[Squire_Dawson]

Great news. These pesky modern condensors! Now enjoy it.

[danthecapriman]

Glad it's sorted.

I was going to suggest putting a ford V4 in it.....

Ford V4. No, Pinto! In 1.3 flavour!

 

Brakes to fix today...

[mercrocker]

Good news indeed......Condensers really are pathetic little tinfoil pockets of shiteness crimped out of old jam tart trays somewhere in the Indo-Chinese netherland.   Nearly every time I have had ignition woes one of these little turds has ultimately been responsible.   Biggest reason I now rely on electronic for the Morrises they are.

[DSdriver]

Whilst old cars are much simpler, with much less to go wrong, using electronic ignition on them is one of the best upgrades you can make - no more faffing around with points and condensors. It also has the advantage over moderns in that it is not wired in to half a dozen wafty sensors.

[danthecapriman]

To be honest, I've been very lucky with condensers and points, until now.

I've only had one failure of a condenser on my Capri, and that one worked one minute and totally died the next. Had a good spare in the glovebox so I was away again.

This one, appeared to be working but obviously not properly which is why I overlooked it early on!

 

On the other hand, changing them and re gapping points often is one of those jobs I hate, so on this occasion I'm willing to admit modern is best! Depending how well it works on this, I'll be fitting another electronic kit to my Capri aswell.

[mercrocker]

The other problem with traditional points is that I never felt sure they were optimal.    Set, dwell-meter, re-set, tighten and then a very gradual 4000 mile deterioration was my experience, until the inevitable day when the bugger won't start or misfires at high speed.   Add to that the ridiculous angle of distributors on BMC engines and I am glad I am rid!

[oldcars]

Well, I've had a play with the Mercury this morning. And....

 

...ITS WORKING!

 

The cause, the condenser!

 

Took the old one out which looked almost new. New one in and it fired straight up, settling to a lovely idle. Gave it a rev and it's silk smooth. Just the way it was before.

 

Goes to show that you shouldn't overlook the basics! I tested for a spark, which it had, but it was clearly not anywhere near powerful enough.

Slightly annoyingly I bought an electronic ignition kit to replace all the points and condenser, for the reason that the new parts seem to be of totally shit quality. If I'd of fitted that it would have worked ages ago. Benefits of hindsight and all that.

Now I'm going to change the oil and filter as it smells a bit petrol like from excessive cranking and no firing. Then I'll leave the points and condenser alone for a while before fitting the electronic ignition set up, just to make sure it's all ok. Then I need to fit the new master cylinder aswell.

 

So, thank you very much everyone for all the positive help and suggestions. I'd probably still not of found the problem without it!

Glad you found out what was the cause and did'nt mess about with the mixture like i said 

[Taff]

Ford V4. No, Pinto! In 1.3 flavour!

 

Brakes to fix today...

 

fuck that shit. pre-xflow 1500cc for added win

 

glad its working, mate