- Sat Aug 02, 2014 7:49 pm
#38360
Hi Thack, it's definitely a weak mixture in the pilot system. This morning I double checked timing and points gap before attempting to start the engine. Same old spitting back, so I removed the pilot air screw and wrapped a few turns of plumbers PTFE tape around the threads to take up the slack/effect some sort of positive seal. With the air screw set about one turn out she started and ran much better, and that I was able to adjust the idling speed to some degree. I discovered that by pushing down quite hard on the air screw with my screwdriver,engine speed increased. I again removed the air screw, got rid of the PTFE and gave it a smear of grease. This time she started quite easily, and responded to adjustment. I let her cool down for four hours and tried starting her up again and she fired first time. Unfortunately I screwed things up at this point, but after persevering managed to get her going. It's not perfect, but has improved no end, and I can now adjust the tick-over, so I'll replace the pilot air screw, or maybe just the O ring. Thanks to all for your help and advice. By the way, I found that bending the points return spring a tad allowed the auto advance springs to fully return. Simple!
