Dave Herrod Posted January 15, 2018 Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 (edited) After far too long since building an engine that I bought in parts, yesterday was the day for the big start up. (I had taken the head off again to make sure that the valve gear was still lubricated, and I was happy that the graphogen would still be in the bearings). The timing was set up as per the book, I had fuel at the carbs, spark present (albeit a bit weak), span the engine without plugs and oil pressure came up quickly, installed plugs, hit the solenoid and.......nothing except a half-hearted back fire. Hmm must be ignition somehow. Replaced plugs, points and condenser and ....still nothing except a slightly louder backfire. Took distributer out to make sure I hadn't got it 180deg out - nope all as per the manual. Then, working through the HT leads, it struck me that they were all 90 degrees out of phase in the distributor cap - odd as the distributor and cap had come off my original, very worn but working, engine. Having re-positioned the leads in the cap, it started on the first press of the button! I then looked at my old engine and it seems that whoever put it together had installed the distributor drive with cylinders 2 and 3 at TDC, not 1 and 4! I am really chuffed that it started and it sounded beautiful (thanks Tom), but it took so long to find out the problem, I didn't have time to break in the cam. I didn't let it idle and am hoping that the time spent turning it over hasn't bu99ered the cam or followers. Dave Edited January 15, 2018 by Dave Herrod Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tom Boyd Posted January 15, 2018 Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 Dave, Well done, great news!! Always a great feeling the first start up Tom Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave Herrod Posted January 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2018 Thanks Tom... it really does sound great. Now all I need to do is put the body on .....and everything else! Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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