It goes some now! The boys at Northampton Motorsport have done a cracking job.

Its just a standard boat anchor pinto with 38dgas carb. The engine was in the car when I got it and has never run quite right. They did a compression test first to make sure it was worth doing as I had no history of the lump. The results were a little low, probably showing mileage on the engine 150, 140, 135, 150.

Next he took the carb off, a whining noise that had been pissing me off for ages turned out to be a cracked gasket under the carb. The vacuum had been connected to the wrong part of the carb, and some bits were loose inside that shouldnt be. The jets were to big and not matched and the fuel filter was full of crap.

They put the carb back on and fired her up. They connected it up to the diagnostic machine which said the points gap was too wide. That was then set and the timing was adjusted as it was too far advanced.

Next was a power run on the rolling road. It produced 106.5bhp @ the fly (81.4bhp at the wheels) and 119.7 lb/ft of torque. They asked whether I wanted them to play with the timing to see if they could squeeze a little more out, but I declined as the graphs were so smooth.

Its like a different car to drive It was quite an expensive day, but definately worth it, they are higly recommended.

Also at the back of the workshop they had 2 racing westfields with zetecs and a radical that they were working on. I can see why 160bhp + in a locost would be fun now

[Edited on 7/4/05 by pmc_3]

sounds like you are going to have lots of fun now !!!!!!!!!!!
best wishes
Iain

how much did this cost? Sounds as though it was a good investment!

cheers
Mark

It wasnt cheap. This is the break down:

Air jets £4.76
Carb base gasket block £6.65
Labour to check cylinder compression, remove carb and check, refit and tune engine £90.00
Labour to carry out rolling road tune £65.00
VAT £29.12

So came out at £195.53 total but money well spent

The only annoying thing is £65 is the minimum charge for a rolling road tune. You pay for an hour, even if you don use it.

so for an hour and fifteen minutes it will cost you £130?

I dont think so, I think its just for the first hour.

[Edited on 7/4/05 by pmc_3]

Thats not overly badda price for a proper tune up.... How long where u there??

I was there at 9.00 and they were working on the car from 9.30 - 1.30. I'd booked the day off and wasnt in a hurry. Steve had to keep going and taking calls and speaking to customers. They're a really friendly bunch and very helpful

[Edited on 7/4/05 by pmc_3]