Starting an old 1500 engine

SantaHul

SantaHul

0
In this time of economic depression our Commer restoration project has been full of broken promises, broken dreams and much neglect.
I've been getting stuck in again lately though as things are looking up and I've almost finished painting. To save money I've decided that the for the time being were going to live with the notoriously powerful 1500cc engine rather than replace it with a 1725cc unit.

Really what I need is just suggestions as to how to get the engine running smoothly (or at least MOT'able). It's barely been run in the past few years, only every now and then when we were fiddling as we never planned on using the engine. I've just reattached the alternator and I've got the spark plugs out which are very sooty and black, which I believe means either weak ignition or the mixture is too rich.

Another thing is that when the engine did run, the cabin filled with fumes which I'm assuming points to the exhaust manifold gasket. Anybody know what kind of gaskets it will have?

Any tips would be much appreciated, I'm not much good with engines, particularly carburettors.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
Speedy spares should be able to supply any necessary gaskets.

BAZROCKS.jpg
If I told you I was a pathological liar, would you believe me?
Peggy's got Sounds
 
Exhaust sealing ring was shot on Percy which caused some fumes in the cab.

Might be similar problem?

**************
Photo0396-1-1.jpg

Percy-1975 Highwayman
 
Exhaust sealing ring - is that basically an exhaust manifold gasket (in which case I'm guessing I'd need four) or is it something different? Either way Speedy sells them for £1.90 each.

Also can somebody confirm that, assuming it's all original, the type of carb on my engine will be a Zenith 34 IV? The manual says this but also says the engine is 1724cc even though I know mine to be 1500cc.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
quote:
Originally posted by SantaHul

Exhaust sealing ring - is that basically an exhaust manifold gasket (in which case I'm guessing I'd need four) or is it something different? Either way Speedy sells them for £1.90 each.

Also can somebody confirm that, assuming it's all original, the type of carb on my engine will be a Zenith 34 IV? The manual says this but also says the engine is 1724cc even though I know mine to be 1500cc.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"



Manifold gasket is the seal between the block and the manifold.

Exhaust sealing ring is the seal between the manifold and downpipe.



**************
Photo0396-1-1.jpg

Percy-1975 Highwayman
 
Start with the basics and make sure the ignition system is OK. Take the plugs out clean and re-gap them, same with points and scrape the build up off the dizzy cap segments - while you are at it check the air filter is clean. I've always used a Gunsens Colourtune plug to set the mixture - you can see the colour of the spark and makes it dead easy, failing that screw the mixture screw right in and then out a turn and a half to two turns out. Start the engine and adjust the idle screw until the engine ticks over at a higher than normal, turn the mixture screw in until the engine revs start to drop off then open it up a little until it runs smoothly again. Adjust the idle down to normal.

th_killin.jpg
 
Cool thanks guys, this is just the kind of info I need.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
quote:


Exhaust sealing ring is the seal between the manifold and downpipe.




Is that basically a metal ring?

Frodo has an exhaust gas leak where the carb joins the engine, and speedy sent me one of these, but it turns out I needed something else - maybe the manifold gasket?

3897579513_b1fb5b908a_o.gif
 
If you have a gas leak between the carb and the engine you do need a manifold gasket, but check you do not have a leak between the carb and the inlet manifold, this will cause rough running and the Zenith carb is famous for warping and failing to seal properly on the manifold. Its a pretty easy fix and makes so much difference to the running of the engine.
 
Great Thanks!

Admin take note - if Steve makes it round this week!
Meanwhile, I'll order a manifold gasket from Speedies.

3897579513_b1fb5b908a_o.gif
 
Ok I didn't realise you could get an exhaust leak from the inlet manifold. So I guess the places I need to look are the inlet manifold gasket, exhaust manifold gasket and exhaust sealing ring? Any specific technique or do I just feel for air escaping?

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
When the engine is cold and you first start it with choke you can normally see the gas escaping:) It is difficult to feel the air escape because the cooling fan makes quite a draft


 
No, you wont get an exhaust leak from the inlet manifold but you can get air leaks that can sound noisey and will be accompanied by rough running and as the manifolds are joined together it can sometimes be hard to know where the noise is coming from. A good trick is to squirt some WD40 around the inlet manifold and carb and see if the noise stops or the engine runs smoother, if it does then its an inlet problem.quote:
Originally posted by SantaHul

Ok I didn't realise you could get an exhaust leak from the inlet manifold. So I guess the places I need to look are the inlet manifold gasket, exhaust manifold gasket and exhaust sealing ring? Any specific technique or do I just feel for air escaping?

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"

 
Ok thanks for your help everybody, I've got a couple of days off work now so I'll get stuck in tomorrow.

"You were only supposed to blow the bloody tyres up!"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top