Having had the engine overhauled completely and getting it back together in the car and running, I thought I'd got her sorted but she's been running like a 3 legged dog, with absolutely no power, over heating and stalling.
She has been on a revisit to the genius that is Mr Chris Whitehead (who did the lions share of the overhaul) and he has sorted the carb and dizzy and reports that she went on her inaugural journey of 3 miles and pulled very well and hasn't missed a beat. She will have to stay there until I return from a week's trip to Ireland but on return I will collect her and then (weather allowing) we will hit the rallies. Hope to see some of you over the summer.
To anyone else with one of these cars (or anyone suffering anything similar) I'll list what was done to sort the problem:
1. Diaphragm in the dizzy was shot, therefore letting air into carb instead of advancing/retarding the engine.
2. The copper air pipe from the dizzy to the carb was too rigid and not allowing the dizzy to move freely. Solution add a flexible section of pipe to allow free movement.
3. New condenser
4. Critically, the carb was stripped and a small brass rod has be placed down the main jet (a long while ago). It had corroded and was basically stopping fuel getting to the engine.
This has been removed and all the jets/fuel/air ways cleaned. We've no idea why this would have been done but was clearly the main issue.
5. Dizzy timed up properly once diaphragm replaced.
6. Fuel tank drained and refilled with new petrol.
Apologies for my somewhat over happy mood but it is such a relief to finally have the old girl useable
Hope the detail is useful to others
Happy rovering
Ant
