From: Greg Stevens [email protected]
Date: 3/09/00
Time: 14:10:40
Remote Name: 203.1.72.96
The engine, it sounds it may be either the cam or ignition timing. First how is the ignition timing set up? Take out number one plug & place your finger over the hole. Turn the motor over using the crank handle, not the starter motor!
You will feel two sensations, one being suction, the other pressure. Once you have pressure, slow the crank handle down, place something down the plug hole. Preferably something soft, feel when the piston stops at the top! This is now in the "fire" position.
The distributor cap is now removed, the rotor should be coming to the number one lobe on the cap. It is very important that the rotor is approaching the lobe not leaving it!
Loosen the distributor, place a test light on the small wire coming from the coil. You should now see the light illuminate when the points start to open, this is the precise time the spark plug will fire! Once you have this point, lock the distributor in place. the engine is now timed, in order to start it!
You may have a condensor fault, it sounds suspicious. Get another condensor, connect to the small wire coming from the coil, & earth out the body of the condensor. you should remove the old one first, in case it has a short!
The cam timing, the easiest way to check this is to remove the cover, make sure the timing marks are aligned! Normally the one mark goes between the two marks! One gear has one mark, the other has two!
The clutch sounds like a normal Austin Seven clutch, they are compared to a switch, either on or off!
See how you go with the engine first!
Greg, Brisbane Australia