Fast Marina Magazine

Hi Stu

Everything that you describe says that the car is running super lean unless the carb is choked to richen the mixture. Cars run lean for one of two reasons, not enough fuel or too much air. Rather than look at the fueling (which you have done fairly comprehensively), think about how extra air could be getting into the inlet around or downstream of the carb.

1. Check the servo hose where it is fitted onto the carb and the hose itself for cracks/holes all the way up to the servo - this will suck air in.
2. Check the distributor vacuum advance pipe and fittings for the same.
3. Check for cracks/holes in the inlet manifold or the carb itself - this will suck air in.
4. Check if the inlet manifold is bolted tightly to the head, for air being drawn in there.
5. Check if the air filter is not holed and/or fitted properly, although you should have been able to tune this one out.
6. Are all the various gaskets in place or could air be drawn in anywhere downstream from the carb.
7. You may have covered this - can you wiggle the throttle spindle as it could be leaking air round the spindle, something that happens on high mileage cars just due to wear between the spindle and the carb body.

I had an AH Sprite a long time ago, where a gorilla had overtightened the inlet manifold to the head and had broken it, so it leaked all the time (high pitched whistling noise) so that it ran v lean. I replaced the inlet manifold only to find that the carbs were shot as well, so new carbs.

thanks for all the posts guys but I appear to have cured the problem you were all right about it being super lean I stuffed a rag down the air inlet effectively choking the air input but the car then ran like a dream pushed the choke in and she idled lovely so out with my new colourtune(thanks for the tip sean) and the flame was orangey yellow so I gradually richened the mixture and after only 4or5 flats of the nut it started running smoother so I took out the rag fom the air input and richened it a touch more and she now runs fine, a quick 3 mile round trip confirmed this still a bit hessitent occasionally when you floor it but none of the cutting out and running nice off choke so hopefully it will be enough to get through the emissions tomorrow.....watch this space once it's past it's mot I reckon a good long runout or 2 will sort things out

If it is hesitating a touch Stu have a tweek of the timing. The spark may be a smidge out. Just dont ask me my opinion about buying cars and service history etc lol

well just look at the coupe....1 owner 14000 miles full service history and runs like a bag of $hit enough said could be points gap that's a bit out as i've replaced them as well but if I can get it through it's test then I can play around then

good work guys, another problem solved.

well not quite Ray.....it failed for a second time passed on h.c ok this time and co2 was 9.3% whereas last time it was off the scale so the garage are going to have a play around with it tomorrow

you'll get there in the end stu and it will be worth the wait cause it is a cracking looking car when u see it up close.

got the eagerly awaited 12 months ticket woo hoo !! just got to wait for the log book to come back now so I can tax it and start using it

Well done big guy! you can still tax it without the book. I can't remember the name of the form

Think the forms called a v10, you can pick em up at post offices.

good stuff tu, so which of the 2 are you bringing to moffat??

He will have to bring the coupe of course so we can have a Reynard saloon and a coupe on the stand. Did you get the plates done ray?

aye but i forgot to lift them on the way out the door, sorry bud

Your a bad boy

Well done Stu, another one on the road where they belong.