Subject: Re: An oddity

Author: Robert Hawkes

Date: Apr 19, 2001, 8:43 AM

Post ID: 1706380711

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Bob
The comment about too much fuel causing your problems makes sense.
for what its worth, I have a crazy story here that may or may not have
anything to do with your problem, but since you are at your wits end about
this, let me try this on you.
I had a 1969 Volvo, 4 cyl with 2 side draft carbs, I think Weber but I

be sure. Because the motor was designed for high test fuel and I couldn't
get it any more in the late 1970s I retarded the timing so it wouldn't

Sometime after that, I cant recall if this was connected to the timing
change but I had major problems when I stopped the car when hot and tried

re-start it. After lots of cranking and all kinds of black smoke , it

catch and run.

I dont remember how I figured this out but, the fuel was picking up too
much heat from the near by exhaust manifold and the gas was boiling in the
bowl and spilling into the intake, flooding the engine. The fix was to
wrap aluminum foil around the bowls as a heat reflector. It worked. I
gave the car to my sister in law, and when she had it in for a tune up,

mechanic threw the "custom" aluminum foil heat shield away and the car
wouldn't want to start when hot again.

I know this is a long shot but the email thread here about too much fuel
reminded me of this.
Good luck anyway, sounds like you are real close to getting it fixed.

-----Original Message-----
From: mike skaggs [SMTP:msse-@classicguzzi.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 11:26 AM
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Subject: Re: An oddity

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Sounds like the float is not shutting off fuel to me...have you tried
another carb on that side?

Mike
www.classicguzzi.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Hawkes <haw-@frontiernet.net>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 6:16 AM
Subject: Re: An oddity

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Brian,

Thanks for your response; I sort of get it. Let me tell you a few

things about this Ambo of mine.

When I bought this bike, over a year ago, it did not run right. The

dealer

installed a new battery and changed the generator which did nothing.
Electrics are all Marelli. All along I thought a piston kit was

as,

upon inspection, there was evidence of chrome flaking off the

So, I installed a new Nikasil piston kit, new gaskets, lapped the

and

seats, measured the valve guides and valve stems within tolerances,

torqued

the heads two times for break-in period, adjusted the valves two

replaced spark plug wires and coil wire and checked for proper ohm
resistance, replaced return springs on automatic spark advance using 8

and
9

coil springs, replaced distributor cap, cleaned the cap, rotor and

points,

new points and condenser and I have put more new spark plugs on the
starboard side cylinder than I can count. Also cleaned battery

terminals

and leads to regulator. (Even new header pipe gaskets.)

When I start the bike with a new plug she will run OK for about 10 mi.

Then

when I slow down or stop at a red light the starboard cylinder begin

fail

and then will quit. I give it the gas a bit and she starts to fire

again

and then fails. I pull the plug and always find evidence of fouling;

the

plug is wet, dripping wet with gasoline. Sometimes gas will drip out

the

starboard header where it joins the muffler. When both cylinders are

firing

the bike has plenty of power and (like the rest of you guys) the bike

a

joy to ride but it is always short lived. Please keep in mind that

despite

all the changes mentioned above it is always the starboard cylinder

quits.

I am very grateful for all the help from you guys on this list esp.

Andy, Peter, Rich and Mark and now from you Brian but I am now

desperate, therefore:

IF ANYONE ON THIS LIST PROVIDES ME WITH INFORMATION LEADING TO THE

ARREST

AND CONVICTION OF THE GREMLIN THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND RESULTS

IN
MY

AMBASSADOR RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY ON TWO CYLINDERS I WILL SEND THEM A

OF

THEIR FAVOURITE BEER - OFFER GOOD ONLY IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED

-

ONE WINNER ONLY.

Thanks, Bob Hawkes

----- Original Message -----
From: <murp-@aol.com>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 11:25 PM
Subject: RE: An oddity

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Robert,
I also think that the current is finding a path through the
distributor cap from the center connector (the coil output) to the

spark

plug wires. I would bet that both plugs are sparking at the same

but only the one at TDC fires. The motor runs, but probably not that
well. I don't think it is really necessary to find the short through

the

cap (which could be just a little moisture or dirt). It is not

necessary

because when the rotor is in the distributor, a path through the cap
will not be used because there is a low resistance path through the
rotor. Also, only one cylinder will fire at a time because there

only be one low resistance path at a time.
Brian,
'74 Eldo
'78 T3


Robert Hawkes wrote:

Frank,
That's my Ambassador that Ian is talking about. It ran without

distributor cap being on the distributor. Now, how does one check

for
a

short? Thanks, Bob Hawkes, 1969 MG Ambassador

----- Original Message -----
From: Frank Flood
To: Loopfram-@topica.com
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 8:28 PM
Subject: Re: An oddity


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interesting emails. So little time to read them.
Thanks to myTopica, I can find what I want, when I want it."
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=========================================================== Ian :

Back

when I used to work on 2 cylinder John Deere tractors, we use a

jumper

wire to make

them run without the distributor cap being in place.

Almost sounds to me like a shot circut to me.

Frank " I read the postings daily" I have learned a

lot.

Thanks

Recent owner of 1972 Ambo----- Restoration in Progress


>From: Ian Adkins
>Reply-To: Loopfram-@topica.com
>To: Loopframe
>Subject: An oddity
>Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 22:47:23 -0400
>
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>
>Hi All,
>
>I've been helping a friend with his Ambo project and he came

across

an

>interesting situation that I thought I might seek some input

the

>list.
>
>While working on his bike he pulled the distributor cap from

mount

>and
>rested it aside. It was still attached to the spark plug leads

and

the

>leads
>were connected to the plugs. As he turned over the bike it

started

>running.
>
>What might cause this to occur? Interesting to note is that he

has

been

>having trouble with the engine where one cylinder will not

We

were

>
>thinking that it may be carburetor related but now that I heard

of

this

>anomaly I think that his problems might be ignition related.
>
>Any thoughts?
>
>Regards....Ian
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--- Sponsor's Message --------------------------------------
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>Find out about the best newsletters and discussions!
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>

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