15-11-2019, 09:32 PM
OK - so here goes. First, many thanks to you all for all your tints and hips (as I think Jack French used to say) you certainly inspired (challenged) me to get up and get on with solving the problem. Taught me a few things which at my advanced years I ought to have been more aware of - FIRSTLY: don't ASSUME (it can make an ASS out of U and ME) so, just because I changed the head - which by the way, was done 'by the book' i.e head checked for weft and warp, good clean studs, new and correct HC gasket, checking all plugs leads in correct order, etc etc etc. that meant not starting was as a result of changing the head. Having said that, I always start the car by hand when doing 'out of season' static garage warm-ups, as much as on a point of principle as anything, and think I have a feel for 'normal' compression, hence my stating that compression was 'down' post head change. As a matter of fact I still think that, but can't prove it as I did not do any compression test prior to this incident...
SECONDLY: even though my carb has suffered only one blockage in some five or so years of fairly regular motoring (resulting from an over-enthusiastic filling at a filling station - I usually fill from cans at home - with fresh petrol of course) don't ASSUME that fuel to the banjo means fuel to the engine, which as you will see was at least part of the trouble here. I should have taken time to check the carb and more time to check the plugs for wetness - didn't - stupid boy Pike!
THIRDLY: listen to the advice of others, or better still use the forum (this is my first foray... driven by desperation - which could have been avoided had I not ASSUMED things). Thanks John, I did pour a little fresh fuel into each cylinder, and indeed a cough and a splutter - what a wonderfully apt term that is - was the result. It's all a bit noisier than before but I expected that.
I will be doing a compression test in the next few days when I have time, and ask for ideas on what sort of figure to expect? A local friend who has been into Sevens since 195*? reckons that around 100 psi could be likely obviously dependent upon wear etc.,
I did a quick test on No 1 (before coming in to sit by the woodturner and to be swathed in blankets and to slurp hot soup...) and registered 75psi.
Since this is my first forum post - and just to keep the thread going a little longer - does anyone have any views?
There we are, sorry to have caused you all unnecessary concern/thought/effort due to my silly ASSUMPTIONS, but it is much appreciated - and kept you from worrying about Breaksit, didn't it?
SECONDLY: even though my carb has suffered only one blockage in some five or so years of fairly regular motoring (resulting from an over-enthusiastic filling at a filling station - I usually fill from cans at home - with fresh petrol of course) don't ASSUME that fuel to the banjo means fuel to the engine, which as you will see was at least part of the trouble here. I should have taken time to check the carb and more time to check the plugs for wetness - didn't - stupid boy Pike!
THIRDLY: listen to the advice of others, or better still use the forum (this is my first foray... driven by desperation - which could have been avoided had I not ASSUMED things). Thanks John, I did pour a little fresh fuel into each cylinder, and indeed a cough and a splutter - what a wonderfully apt term that is - was the result. It's all a bit noisier than before but I expected that.
I will be doing a compression test in the next few days when I have time, and ask for ideas on what sort of figure to expect? A local friend who has been into Sevens since 195*? reckons that around 100 psi could be likely obviously dependent upon wear etc.,
I did a quick test on No 1 (before coming in to sit by the woodturner and to be swathed in blankets and to slurp hot soup...) and registered 75psi.
Since this is my first forum post - and just to keep the thread going a little longer - does anyone have any views?
There we are, sorry to have caused you all unnecessary concern/thought/effort due to my silly ASSUMPTIONS, but it is much appreciated - and kept you from worrying about Breaksit, didn't it?
True satisfaction is the delayed fulfilment of ancient wish