Get plugged in
Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:57 pm
When I finished the resto of my 6volt T6 B approx 3 summer’s ago I changed for new the leads and plugs on the engine and refurbed the carbs, the distributor and fuel pump, all seemed well but over time the starting, running and tick over all had wobbles. Particularly starting but I had over that time developed a procedure to get the engine started within 3-4 try’s, except when it was cold and or damp but it’s not a given.
The tick over went was up and down, mainly after coming to rest for lights or junction’s etc, my conclusion was the distributor so I replaced it with a 123 distributor and all seemed ok for a short period but the old trouble came back. I went over all joint’s and greased them and by chance discovered the accelerator pivot was a little loose on the shaft, whereupon I took it off the shaft to discover the plastic interior sleeves had disappeared ( a known problem apparently), I inserted new ones and the sticking tick over problem disappeared.
Finally the engine has always been strong on acceleration but in the background you could just feel a slight hesitation as it acceleratorated and when at a constant speed, not enough to effect to running of the engine but it was always there. The situation niggled me and I saw a post in DDK about a cds unit similar to the 911 version that a member posted, this seemed to be an avenue to take, upon enquiry none were available for a couple of months so I had to wait and went off in the 356 to LeMans and back.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching the tv program ‘Bangers and Cash’ and they had a problem with a rough engine tick over and the old guy said it needed a new set of plugs and it would be as right as rain, they changed the plugs and he was right. This for me was a lightbulb moment as it might prove to be the answer to my niggle, so took out the Bosch plugs and I put in a set of NGK BP6HS plugs which are the correct heat range, the result has been astonishing. Virtual instant startup both when the engine is cold ( after getting the oil light off) and hot and no more hesitation in background on engine during acceleration or running, for £20 I seemed to have solved the problem. I am at a loss as to why the Bosch plugs performed so poorly as I have only done 4k miles since installing them but what the hell I now have a sweeter running engine that at the moment starts and runs well and I am will be interested to see if it stays the same when it’s cold and damp.
Food for thought!!
The tick over went was up and down, mainly after coming to rest for lights or junction’s etc, my conclusion was the distributor so I replaced it with a 123 distributor and all seemed ok for a short period but the old trouble came back. I went over all joint’s and greased them and by chance discovered the accelerator pivot was a little loose on the shaft, whereupon I took it off the shaft to discover the plastic interior sleeves had disappeared ( a known problem apparently), I inserted new ones and the sticking tick over problem disappeared.
Finally the engine has always been strong on acceleration but in the background you could just feel a slight hesitation as it acceleratorated and when at a constant speed, not enough to effect to running of the engine but it was always there. The situation niggled me and I saw a post in DDK about a cds unit similar to the 911 version that a member posted, this seemed to be an avenue to take, upon enquiry none were available for a couple of months so I had to wait and went off in the 356 to LeMans and back.
A couple of weeks ago I was watching the tv program ‘Bangers and Cash’ and they had a problem with a rough engine tick over and the old guy said it needed a new set of plugs and it would be as right as rain, they changed the plugs and he was right. This for me was a lightbulb moment as it might prove to be the answer to my niggle, so took out the Bosch plugs and I put in a set of NGK BP6HS plugs which are the correct heat range, the result has been astonishing. Virtual instant startup both when the engine is cold ( after getting the oil light off) and hot and no more hesitation in background on engine during acceleration or running, for £20 I seemed to have solved the problem. I am at a loss as to why the Bosch plugs performed so poorly as I have only done 4k miles since installing them but what the hell I now have a sweeter running engine that at the moment starts and runs well and I am will be interested to see if it stays the same when it’s cold and damp.
Food for thought!!
. Great news and yes always shows a lot of the times its the simple things