Re: Berlina magic (cold start solenoid bypass switch)

["Robert S. Wilkinson" <wilk@domain.elided>]

I bought my 72 Spica-equipped Spider from a friend who, with a plane to
Europe to catch, had tried unsuccessfully for some time to start
it--cranking it until he had to call a cab.  When he returned  from Europe
a month later, the engine was frozen.  He had the engine disassembled, but
couldn't afford to have it repaired, so he sold it to me (this  was in
1978). I never figured out why the car wouldn't start, but the flood of gas
had clearly washed away the oil from the rings,  causing all  four pistons
to to freeze solidly to their liners.  After replacing the pistons/liners,
I installed a bypass switch for the cold-start (and a manual choke in place
of the TA), so that if for any reason I want to crank it a bit, I wouldn't
flood it with gas. I don't think that I've ever had to use the switch
except for compression tests and the like but I'm glad it's there.

Bob  Wilkinson
72 Spider



>On Mon, 9 Sep 2002, Dean W. Cains wrote:
>
>> Hi Damian:
>> 
>> Here's my guess, and a guess is the best I can do without being there.  It 
>> has been fairly common for Spica owners/mechanics not-in-the-know to 
>> install a bypass switch on the cold start solenoid.  This was a band-aid 
>> for a poorly adjusted Spica injection pump that was too rich for
starting a 
>> warm/hot engine.  With the switch flipped one way the solenoid would
engage 
>> and the car could be started from cold, but with the switch flipped the 
>> other way, the car would be easier to start when warm.  By no coincidence, 
>> the Spica cold start solenoid is wired in parallel with the starter 
>> solenoid, so they operate concurrently as you turn the key to start the 
>> car.
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