I own a 1972 (1275cc) “Export” Moke that had its engine reconditioned (after burning a valve) approximately 15 years ago, after which it was put into storage. Now it is time to dig it out again, but it is refusing to run as its usual sweet self.

The engine will idle but as soon as revs are brought above idle it stalls. When checking the timing with a strobe it is way off the recommended reading (advanced or retarded I can’t remember). Even with the dizzy turned way past where it would normally sit (at least 90 deg clockwise until the vacuum advance hits the oil pipe), timing is nowhere near. It would seem that the dizzy wants to be rotated around 180 deg to where it would normally be to get the right timing.

I have checked the carby etc. The floats and needles all seen fine and are free, so I assume that it is the timing that is causing me grief.

My problem is that I do not even know if the dizzy was “replaced” during the engine recon? Was a wrong type installed?

My questions for those knowledgeable in this area:
1) Are there different dizzys around that have different timing settings?
2) Would it be as simple as the wrong rotor button? The rotor button has the slot that engages into the dizzy shaft on the rear side of the button. Are there those that have the slot on the front (rotor arm) side?

I suppose there is the possibility that the timing gear(s) inside the engine may have been miss-installed, throwing out the dizzy. This is probably an “engine out” job to check (a last resort really!).

I have engine numbers etc that I can supply if this would help.

Cheers,
Chris

well if it runs it may not exactly be a timing issue if it stalls when u accelerate, if may be a throttle thing... but what u can do if u are will to try take the dizzy off and rotate at 180 degrees then put back in and see how she runs if still the same or doesnt start go back to the way it was and conclude it isnt timing..

make sure there are no air leaks( added air getting in to the carby from gaskets) and make sure enough fuel is going in when u rev.

_________________
oil leak?..what oil leak..that puddle under the car is just sweat from all that horsepower

It doesn't actually matter where the dizzy is rotated in relation to the engine, as long as the timing lines up near TDC.

If it was that far out, (like more than 20 degrees or something) then the engine simply wouldn't run.

Make sure your timing light is up to scratch, it may be playing up, especially if it has one of those adjusters on the back of the gun to artificially move the strobe timing. It may also sound ridiculous, but make sure of the lead rotation on the dizzy cap, it catches the best of us.

Turn the engine over to TDC on no.1 piston with both valves shut on this same cylinder. Then check where the rotor button is pointing, it should be near the 2'o'clock position, because this is when no.1 would normally fire.

With an engine that hasn't run in a while, they can be pretty haggard until it gets up to temperature as well.

_________________
SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Ensure the timing pickup is actually on No1 plug lead. Have u got the vac advance disconnected from the carb when doing the timing?

_________________

http://www.youtube.com/user/Hanras