carb balance stromberg 1850 auto

[ricky1850]

i know there are videos and guides out there to show you how to tune up the Stromberg type carbs on my dolly, but its been a while since ive driven this car but it seems a little down on performance, the last owner had the head gasket done and various other bits and pieces, but one area that wasn't right when I bought was the idling rpm which was about 2000, ive now got that down to normal but it doesn't quite go great off the mark pulling away seems a bit flat at times, it builds speed up good but no the quickest other wise (it is an auto tho!), also not great to trying start from cold, once it going its fine so may it be carbs need a balance?

thanks

[Toledo Man]

Make sure your ignition is 100% before playing with the carbs. Once you know that the ingition is fine then you can move on to the carbs.

[cliftyhanger]

Indeed, ignition timing may well have gone right out of spec if it was set at 2000rpm.
So check that. I tend to rely on resuts rather than a strobe. So keep advnancing the timing until the engine pinks under ligt load, and then retard so all pinking stops.

Once that is set, the carbs can be properly set up. Saying that, timing will affect idle speed, so keep adjustingas you go.
Balancing using a bit of small-bore tube (washer tubing sort of size) with the mk1 lughole is pretty accurate. Don't forget to reset linkages so that both butterflies start to open at exactly the same time.

Mixture may need a tweek too. You never know, especially if the PO had to set idle at 2000rpm....

[Magenta Auto Sprint]

sometime a high idle speed can be caused by weak mixture or inlet leak.
Are the diaphragms ok?

I still have starting problems on my 1850 auto, runs for a few seconds on easy start then nothing else. I think it is a choke problem.

Malcolm

[ricky1850]

going to have a look at timing tonight to try and address the issue, what is timing degrees for TDC?

[GTS290N]

Static timing is 11 degrees btdc, if I remember right.

[ricky1850]

just another thought, what are the general thoughts on changing points to electronic power spark etc? does it make a difference?

[Toledo Man]

It improves reliability (no more points and condenser to worry about) and eliminates timing scatter which is caused by play in the dizzy shaft.

[GTS290N]

just another thought, what are the general thoughts on changing points to electronic power spark etc? does it make a difference?

No brainer but get the car running first. Use accuspark for tr7 search this forum for numerous posts.

[ricky1850]

not fiddled or fitted anything to dizzy yet but have the accu spark kit for dizzy, anyone have a good pic of timing teeth and what they are mines is quite rusty on top and not really visible anymore to see where the timing mark should be

and another issues has just appeared, driving today no problems but I have been having issues with choke and the fact its either causing too much fuel going into carbs or its just not working at all and the carb needs stripped and cleaned, choke cable works and pulls arm but doesn't really help with starting from cold, anyway I was sitting at traffic lights and idling fine engine warm, gear still in D (auto box) I gave the choke a pull out and in slightly to see if it increased revs and was doing anything and car cut out, which was fine but it now wont start!! I have ignition lights etc but when turning key round to start it there is nothing, basically its as if the autobox is in Drive and you try to start car and it doesn't let the cae spin or engage starter motor


any help as to what it can be?

ive had the gear lever up and down the selector to see if its jammed but to no avail to aid starting

[Carledo]

not fiddled or fitted anything to dizzy yet but have the accu spark kit for dizzy, anyone have a good pic of timing teeth and what they are mines is quite rusty on top and not really visible anymore to see where the timing mark should be

and another issues has just appeared, driving today no problems but I have been having issues with choke and the fact its either causing too much fuel going into carbs or its just not working at all and the carb needs stripped and cleaned, choke cable works and pulls arm but doesn't really help with starting from cold, anyway I was sitting at traffic lights and idling fine engine warm, gear still in D (auto box) I gave the choke a pull out and in slightly to see if it increased revs and was doing anything and car cut out, which was fine but it now wont start!! I have ignition lights etc but when turning key round to start it there is nothing, basically its as if the autobox is in Drive and you try to start car and it doesn't let the cae spin or engage starter motor


any help as to what it can be?

ive had the gear lever up and down the selector to see if its jammed but to no avail to aid starting

Sounds like a faulty or broken inhibitor switch to me, it's low down on the n/s of the transmission, may be accessible through the access plate on the front n/s of the tunnel underneath the carpet.

Steve

[ricky1850]

Replacements easy to get? These are a bw35 auto on my 73 model?

[Carledo]

The transmission SHOULD be a BW 65, as far as I am aware, ALL Dolomite autos had the 65.
The correct inhibit switch is available from Rimmers - for silly money! I believe someone on here has suggested using one from an SD1 Rover which can be had cheaper but may need some adaptation. Second hand ones are almost non existent, mainly because it is very close to the exhaust on a Dolly and the heat shield is often left off/falls off, leading to the switch getting toasted brittle!

Steve

[ricky1850]

any way to bypass it till I can get another on or is there a way of testing it?

[Carledo]

Basically, you test it by by-passing it! Once you have got to it (!) you will find it has 4 wires going to it. IIRC 2 are predominantly green and are for the reverse light, the other 2 are predominantly white and are the ones you want, simply join them together somehow (a 30amp blade fuse is good) and try the starter! BUT make sure first, that it's in Park and the handbrake is on, for obvious reasons!

Steve