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Turning engine
speedyxjs - 19/7/08 at 05:27 PM

Spent this afternoon trying to adjust the valve's on my midget (1500) but cant turn the engine.
We've tried removing the plugs to release pressure and moving the fan but the fan just moves under the belt. We have also tried putting the car in gear and rolling it forward but the car wouldnt budget (and yes the handbrake was off ) i can just about reach the crankshaft from underneath but havnt got a socket big enought to fit on it.
Does anyone have any other idea's how to turn the engine?

redscamp - 19/7/08 at 05:30 PM

jack up one wheel ,put it in 4rth gear and
turn the wheel by hand

robertst - 19/7/08 at 05:30 PM

cant you turn it with the starter engine? from what you said it sounds like the engine might be seized?

speedyxjs - 19/7/08 at 05:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by robertst
cant you turn it with the starter engine? from what you said it sounds like the engine might be seized?


No she runs fine. just a tapping noise. From what we saw when we took the rocker cover off, they are quite far out and need adjusting

mr henderson - 19/7/08 at 05:43 PM

Have another go at pushing the car. I haven't come across an old car that I couldn't turn the engine over by doing that (in top gear with the plugs out). Otherwise there has got to be something else wrong.

John

britishtrident - 19/7/08 at 06:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by speedyxjs
quote:
Originally posted by robertst
cant you turn it with the starter engine? from what you said it sounds like the engine might be seized?


No she runs fine. just a tapping noise. From what we saw when we took the rocker cover off, they are quite far out and need adjusting


Tapping noise on a Triumph 1500 engine is usually a big end bearing -- they are notorious for it.

[Edited on 19/7/08 by britishtrident]

clairetoo - 19/7/08 at 09:10 PM

I'd start with gas-flowing the head , maybe bigger valves and a hot cam , a bit more compression , a full balance and lighter flywheel , twin 40's or maybe throttle bodies ................ oh hang on , turning the engine............ I thought you said tuning

austin man - 19/7/08 at 10:13 PM

Id be a little worried if it ran fine then wont turn over after adjusting the tappets may want to relook at the tappet setting first

D Beddows - 20/7/08 at 12:46 AM

Suggestion? Buy a big enough socket to fit on the end of the crankshaft you tight a*se! - adjusting the tappets is a job you'll be doing again tbh so a couple of quid on a socket (and I'm not even going to ask how you think you've been able to adjust the tappets without being able to rotate the engine btw !?......) would be money well spent

[Edited on 20/7/08 by D Beddows]

speedyxjs - 20/7/08 at 08:16 AM

quote:
Originally posted by D Beddows
Suggestion? Buy a big enough socket to fit on the end of the crankshaft you tight a*se! - adjusting the tappets is a job you'll be doing again tbh so a couple of quid on a socket (and I'm not even going to ask how you think you've been able to adjust the tappets without being able to rotate the engine btw !?......) would be money well spent

[Edited on 20/7/08 by D Beddows]


I havnt adjusted them jet because we couldnt turn it.
Before you call me a tight a*se, just remember we are on locostbuilders

speedyxjs - 20/7/08 at 08:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by clairetoo
I'd start with gas-flowing the head , maybe bigger valves and a hot cam , a bit more compression , a full balance and lighter flywheel , twin 40's or maybe throttle bodies ................ oh hang on , turning the engine............ I thought you said tuning



That will all come after

mr henderson - 20/7/08 at 08:44 AM

So, did you have another go at pushing it yet? If it won't turn over like that, with the plugs out, then there is something else wrong.

Maybe you are just not pushing hard enough?

John

MikeRJ - 20/7/08 at 08:55 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mr henderson
So, did you have another go at pushing it yet? If it won't turn over like that, with the plugs out, then there is something else wrong.


Totally agree, without the spark plugs fitted the engine should be quite easy to turn. I can remember doing the valve clearances on my dads 1500 Midget by gently pushing it in 4th with the plugs in.

It's a horrible engine though, makes a dumper truck look refined. Fortunately he sold it and now has a RWA 1275 which is far nicer car all round.

speedyxjs - 20/7/08 at 05:37 PM

I like it. Makes a great noise.
I wont try it till the weekend now but will post progress

MikeRJ - 21/7/08 at 08:38 PM

Dads old 1500 was a bit rough admittedly, but the best noise I ever heard from the engine was when it wasn't running