Classic/Antique Car Repair/1960 Austin Healey

Advertisement

Expert: - 7/7/2010


Question
I took over a job on and engine from a family friend. Anyway I had to do a tune-up, I lined up the timing mark and had it at TDC and installed the Distributor. lined up with #1. It cranks over about 3 times and back fires, but not even a hint that it wants to start. i was wondering what it the complete tune up steps.....thank you.

Answer
It sound like you have the distributor 180 degrees off. Remember that the distributor turns at one half the speed of the crankshaft and the timing mark will come up to TDC twice for every revolution of the distributor. Once on the end of the compression stroke and once on the end of the exhaust stroke. Take out the distributor and turn the rotor 180 degrees, half way around. It does not make any difference which way you turn it. I'll bet that it runs now.
Brad  

Classic/Antique Car Repair

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.