Intermittent Starting-

[nico506]

Hi all,
After having the carbs refurbished, o rings replaced,timing set to TDC and using 10 degrees, and finally 18 degree BTDC ad mixture screws at 3/4 open - I manage to get the engine started and work up idling set to 950-1000rpm. Then I leav the engine overnight and wll not start with popping to carbs and wafts of smoke from each trumpet, plus gets easily flooded after a few attempts at turning over where engine then continues to fire but not run.

However, on some occasions - I have to dry the plugs fully before engine will start again and this is also after resetting the timing again so it seems!!!!!!!!!

It can't be the timing that gets displaced after a short running session or is the dizzy at fault- or is it?.

Once engine runs at the above settings - it is reasonably smooth and not really had chance to check mixture or dynamic settings yet.

I'm getting a little lost as these engines ae supposed to be really easy to set up and start with minimal prodding of gas pedal.

Would setting the 'TRUE' TDC be the way foward to set the static timing asmy TDC appears to be spot on when lining up the cam sprocket timing marks on the cylinder head.
Any useful tips comments and suggstions appreciatd as have takn ot of adviice and comments from others who have had similar probs
Thanks
Nico Elan s3 1968 DHC

[billwill]

Just going by memory, (my manual is down in the garage) but I think static timing for the Twin Cam is 14 degrees before TDC.


Your symptoms match what I got when electric timing was wrong.

[Galwaylotus]

Static timing is 5? or 9? BTDC for Zenith Stromberg engines and 10? or 12? BTDC for Webers depending on the distributor. Having said that the dyno sheet for my engine says 32? BTDC full advance which equates to 8? static. This may be to cope with today's lead-free fuel. Don't know whether that's clarified or confused the issue.

[redskatejbf]

Galwaylotus...........You say your dyno. sheet says 32deg. / 8deg. is that for a Stromberg or Weber carb?

Regards John.