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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Still in Norway - on 3 cylinders: need help by Sun

This is a follow up to previous thread prior to my visit to Norway - about fitting a head.

I am in Norway, just fitted a lead free head. No 2 cylinder = no power & the 3 that work cannot pull car up a small hill.

Back to UK on Monday, would dearly love to get it running before I leave. If you think you can help (preferaly by me phoning you on Sunday), but this forum or email if you prefer - please email me at ckinsella @ gmail . com

Feel free to tell me I did something stupid, but also tell me how to rectify.

More detail:

This car had an engine fitted in Stolkholm about 5 years ago, history unknown.

I drove car from Stolkholm to norhern Norway with no issues. Car ran a couple of summers with no issues.

2 years ago car ran poorly and local mechanic reported it was 'oiling up 3 & 4 plugs'

My brother sent the original head to UK to be converted to lead free, haad arrived in Norway last week. New valves, guldes inner and outer springs and seals + minimal skim. Head looks like this has been done, no reason to doubt it.

Last week I removed the head (from engine fitted in Stockholm), found gasket gone between 3 & 4. I had no compression tester, did unscientific test - wery small amount of petrol poured into all four cylinders. It took more than 40 min for No 2 cylinder to leak into sump; I had to use a cloth to empty petrol from other three.

Correctly or incorrectly I put a little Holts Piston Sealer around top of No 2 piston (not the way described by holts and after multiple failed attempts to get Holts support to tell me if this might have any negative consequences)- I know this is not how the instructions suggest how to apply and I know many people suggest it is a waste of time.

Fitted lead free head, torqued head and rocker shaft, set valve clearences and double checked them again (1-8, 2-7 etc).

Car started with No 2 cylinder not running. (remove HT lead, no difference, remove any other lead, engine stops).

Swapped plugs and leads, checked for spark on No2. Re checked static valve timing (still at 10btdc).

Have run engine at light revs for about 20 min, no difference.

Aquired quality compression tester:
1 160
2 160
3 150
4 140

Not concerned about 4 being low, can consider piston rings at some future date.

Took car for a short drive, very little power, would not pull up a slight incline, engine running rough, need to slip clutch in low gear to get moving. Occasional back fire out of both carbs (air filters not fitted at the moment) - mostly when throttle let off.

Fairly sure carbs are set quite well. 30 years ago I trained as an auto electrician under a spark who was also an SU specialist, so I can tune carbs with a rubber hose - these were working fine last time I worked on the car about 5 years ago.

I am now at a total loss.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

A little more background, though I was an auto electrician I have fitted heads to A and B seriies engines and adjusted timing and valve clearances on several engines - that does not mean I have done something stupid this time or missed something obvious.

Thanks Colin











C Kinsella

Colin,
Slightly "out of the box" but are you certain that you have the plug leads on foir the correct firing order? If two are wrong, it will run but with little power. Worth another check?
Guy Weller

Thanks a Guy

I am so happy to be made to look like a fool.

I did have the leads in order 1342 - but clockwise.

Fixed in 30 seconds.

I am assuming 3 was doing something which confused this old head.

Thanks again

C Kinsella

Its such an easy mistake to make, I am sure we have all done it. And the only fool is the one who insists they wouldn't do such a thing, and refuses to check! :-)

Is it running OK now then, or will you not know for certain until a test run in daylight tomorrow?
Guy Weller

Been there. Done that. Don't tell anyone!!!


Rob
Rob aka MG Moneypit

No no no... ive.got the fool part solely owned...

I had the plugs mixed up clockwise also, tried and tried to start.... I looked and looked and belived I was at 1342.... got a friend with a fresh set of eye.... boom, fired up in under 3 minutes...what took me a couple of months

So if s easy to do and even easier to belive your right when your not.

Prop

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

This thread was discussed on 24/05/2014

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