Hi all,
I have a Pinto (Vulcan 2.1) in a Tiger CAT. Ignition is via points, has twin Dellorto 45s.
Starting from cold is difficult - starting from warm or hot is impossible! Engine turns (slowly) but will not fire. Remove plugs and you get a decent
spark. Any ideas appreciated!
Cheers
Perhaps you have a lazy starter motor? i.e. it's on it's way out or maybe the battery is below par.
A high compression Pinto does take a bit of turning over so those parts need to be up to the job.
Obviously the ignition and timing should be tip top also. I have my doubts that points will give the best spark particularly when the starter is
taking the lions share of the current from the battery, or if they are pitted and the gap is wrong etc
HTH
Mark
When it's hot is the electric rad fan on as this draws so much power it can prevent the starter motor from getting enough juice to turn over the
engine fast enough to start it.
If you wait until the fan switches off and the engine starts ok then there's your problem and it's easily solved with a manual over-ride
switch.
[Edited on 14/7/06 by Anglia66]
Forgot to mention you would perhaps be better with some sort of electronic ignition. rather than the points.
Cheers
Mark
Problem is even older than the electric starter ---- too much static ignition advance.
Either retard the timing throughout the range or change the advance curve so you get less advance bellow idle speed..
quote:
Originally posted by mookaloid
Forgot to mention you would perhaps be better with some sort of electronic ignition. rather than the points.
Cheers
Mark
Old tip from David Vizard is to use a starter from an Pinto automatic, it has more cranking power . Also to cut down on voltage drop on Motorcrap distributors make up and fit a small earth wire between the points securing screw and the baseplate securing screw and if it's still on bi pass the small black box on the side of the distributor. These mods should give a better spark when cranking.
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Problem is even older than the electric starter ---- too much static ignition advance.
Either retard the timing throughout the range or change the advance curve so you get less advance bellow idle speed..
Have you checked the engine to battery earth cable connections?
you may have a decent spark with plugs removed but when the starter is turning engine under compression it may be robbing the coil of 12v supply if you have faulty connection eg engine earth
New starter on the Sylva cured this problem for me. It seemed like a poor battery, because cranking was very laboured. Tested the old starter out of
the car and it seemed fine. Fitted a new starter and it whizzes over like a good thing - hot or cold.
I also go along with the over advanced ignition theory as well.
I have exactly the same problem when i have a large compression ratio.. Bigger battery and a change of starter motor fixed it ..
I would change the ignition as a matter of course even if the motor started ok..
Have you had the car on a set of rollers to have the whole set up checked ?? this may save you a lot of ££££ in the long run as you may not need to
change anything ?
Andrew
quote:
Originally posted by britishtrident
Problem is even older than the electric starter ---- too much static ignition advance.
Either retard the timing throughout the range or change the advance curve so you get less advance bellow idle speed..
Moose, If you are looking for a budget dizzy and electronic ignition i may have one that we can do a cheap deal on ..
It came from Roland Haynes of HT racing .. it has worked great on my Cozzie.
Andrew