hey all,

I finally managed to get spark (module in pulsar dizzy was stuffed).
But i stlll can't get it to start. I have fuel going into the float bowl. I have spark.

I set the static timing, hopefully correctly, by turning the engine by hand until the mark on the crank shaft pully lined up with 0 on the markings. This also lined up with the markings on the flywheel.

I then turned the distributor with the cap off, until the number 1 on the cap would line up with the firing end of the rotor.

All that happens when i crank it over, is i get the occasional backfire out the exhaust

Any ideas?

I tried turning the distributor the other way around, but the same thing happens

Ryan

You havnt got the firing order backwards?? ( rotor button going the other way) Are you getting a nice strong spark under cranking? I dunno, just throwing ideas out

it's 1 - 3 - 4 - 2 from the radiator side right?

and the rotor button, the end with the copper conductor or whatever it is, is the end that points to number 1 plug, correct?

It is 1-2-3-4 from the radiator.
The cylinders fire in the order of 1-3-4-2.
The distributor turns anti-clockwise.

yep thats what i thought

Does the rotor only go on one way? Could i have that the wrong way around?

If the rotor is on properly it should drop into a slot or groove

0 is also TDC for number 4. You'll need to take the rocker cover off to find out if it's number 1 or 4 that is on it's power stroke.

Easy trick for this,,
1. Take out plugs and put car in 4th.
2. With your finger in no 1 plug hole get a friend to help roll the car forwards slowly.
3. When air pushes out past your finger the piston is coming up on compression, look in with a torch till the piston is at the top.

The distributor rotor should now be pointing at no 1 plug lead, if it isnt change it at the dizzy end.

_________________
Dean Hutton's first car was a Mini.

thanks tombo.

Can i ask a really newbie question, as i dont know a lot about how engines work internally and the haynes manual doesnt really cover it.

I know what the rockers are, and there appears to be 2 for each cylinder.
Would i be correct in saying that for each cylinder, one is for exhaust, and one is for intake?

Im not sure exactly what to look for to see if cyl 1 is on a power stroke.

If someone could explain this to me that'd be great, pics would be even better?

You are correct that there are 2 rockers for each cylinder, 1 for intake, 1 for exhaust. You can tell which is which by looking at the inlet and exhaust manifold. It goes E I I E E I I E.

The power stroke is when the piston is moving down and the valves are closed on that cylinder so that the combustion (expanding gases) turns the crankshaft.

Use Tombo's method to find top dead centre. As the piston moves up and the valves are closed, it is the compression stroke. With your finger over the spark plug hole you will feel the compression as the piston rises as you rock the car in gear (4th gear is easiest to turn the motor). When you feel the cylinder on its compression stroke, bring the piston to the top of its stroke. That is the cylinder the distributor rotor should be pointing to the lead of.

ok cool im pretty confident ive got TDC now as i felt the compression with my finger and could also see in the spark plug hole with a torch that the piston was at the top.

However still the same result - wont start, just backfires.

I think i forgot to mention im using the pulsar dizzy with what i think is the standard bosch coil. Does this make a difference?

the fact that it backfires is more-or-less a good sign - turn the distributor clockwise a couple of mm and try again

my ignition switch was buggered so that when it was cranking and meant to be supplying power to the coil as well...it wasnt. so check that you are actually getting power to the coil while cranking.
also i had to shape a bit of the extractors as they wouldnt sit flush with the inlet manifold causing air to be sucked in. check that both inlet and exhaust manifold are sealing correctly.
you say you have turned the distributor but have you taken it out, put it on TDC, checked the key is facing the right way (larger side to the bottom) and made sure the drive dog is positioned correctly?