Tappet Adjustment process

[Alan]

When an engine is freshly built the rings are sometimes too dry and not bedded well enough for the engine to develop the vacuum needed to breathe properly. Perhaps your dry plugs are a symptom of this. Towing increases the cranking speed so the engine does draw in enough fuel. Before now, I’ve had my Ulster towed at up to 30mph to get it to fire. After that it starts first pull of the handle. (It’s a racing car, it doesn’t have an electric starter.

[David Stepney]

A thimble full of oil down each cylinder sometimes helps to promote an initial seal between the bore and new rings.

I had similar problems a few weeks ago when I had my engine to bits to replace a little end. I spent a whole day trying to get any life from it after I had put it back together. It went eventually after I was about to give up for the night, but my next step would have been to tow it. Once it had run for a few minutes, it started instantly and has done so ever since.

Many years ago, I rebuilt the Landrover's engine and had to tow that about a mile and a half before it would go It eventually started with a massive cloud of smoke, and has started readily ever since.

[iandecjak]

I have ordered a compression gauge to confirm the couple of new piston rings i fitted are ok and will pump in some oil to see if that helps. I have a new 12v Battery and the starter is turning engine over really well.

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Thank you all for your repsonses it is greatly appreciated....

[Bluebird7]

Where are you ??????
Happy to help if your near Kings Lynn .

[Chris KC]

Is it possible there's an air leak at the inlet manifold? Hard to spot, and will kill starting.

[Charles P]

Takes all of the load off the electrics, gives the chance for the rings to bite and generally allows everything to settle in and start working.

Not normally necessary but can help in situations like yours.

And avoids the starter robbing essential current from the coil.
Very easy to happen with a newer, stiffer engine and after much attempted starting.

[Steve kay]

If is is new but in the car, take the plugs out and spin it a number of times. This also allows enough oil distribution/spraying to get a good reading on the pressure gauge as well as into bearings. Some old chaps always recommend a squirt down each plug hole. A 12 v battery is a good idea, distinguished forum voices agree thar any of the starters can easily cope with 12 volt.

[iandecjak]

My compression test kit came today and initialresults were less than 25 psi hand cranking. Squirted oil into chambers and they immediately came up to around 50, unfortunately the gauge doesnt have a max position so its all done by eye. Encouraged by this I recleaned the carb and hooked up the pump to a freshly filled fuel can (belt and braces approach). Still no success but at least I could see that all plugs were now getting wet and not just the No4 as previously.

Went back to TDC and adjusted distributor from scratch and lo and behold it started on next crank and sounded sweet, albeit on a fast tickover. As the radiator is not yet plumbed in I only allowed it to run for 15 seconds a couple of times.
Will get that fitted in the week and hopefully run for an extended time, recheck compression and retighten head nuts, fingers crossed all goes ok.

We still have some work to do before it is back on the road but this is a major milestone.

This car belongs to my adult son who has autism, we have been stripping and rebuilding the car over the last two years with him doing the majority of the work and enjoying every minute; apart from last weekend when we couldnt get it started after refitting the engine. I am looking forward to seeing his face this afternoon when he starts it up, this would not have been possible without all the help and advice everyone took the time to forward.

So thankyou for all your help it is greatly appreciated and if you are around East Bristol area and see a black Ruby being driven by someone with a huge smile on his face that will probably be us ...........thanks again.

PS I am sure I will be back on the forum requesting more advice in the future.

[Alan]

Well done!

[Hugh Barnes]

Excellent news!