Re: Liftoff!

[George Richardson <gprtech@domain.elided>]

This doesn't sound like my car. When I turn the key to the on position, the pump
turns on. Then when I turn to the start position, the starter engages. When I
release the key, the switch returns to the on position with the fuel pump still
running.

FMags2@domain.elided wrote:

> In a message dated 3/27/99 3:09:14 PM Central Standard Time,
> gprtech@domain.elided writes:
>
> << I am psyched!
>
>  Earlier this week , I filled my new acquisition up with about 10 quarts
>  of oil, poured oil into all 8 cylinders, and started checking the
>  electrical system out.
>
>  Got a new battery, put it in and turned on the ignition. Almost instant
>  gas smell.  On carb is spitting gas out of the overflow vent. So, I
>  figure stuck float. If I'd thought about it earlier this week, I could
>  have had a rebuild kit in, but I was busy at work, and forgot.
>
>  Last night I pulled the carbs, and I could see that besides the stuck
>  floats, both diaphragms had split in multiple places back when that car
>  was running.
>
>  This morning I remembered that there's a brit car shop not 15 minutes
>  from my house. I seem to always forget these people except when I'm in a
>  hurry.
>
>  Quick trip, quick cleanup and rebuild, and I remount the carbs. No more
>  gas leaks. Drain the excess oil. Spray a little starting fluid in, turn
>  the key, and Whammo! Wow! The exhaust system on this car is shot!
>
>  On the other hand, the Triumph V8 is not. After a 10 year snooze, it ran
>  rough for a few minutes, smoothed out and ran for 25 minutes.
>  Temperature gauge swung up almost to the halfway mark, then dropped down
>  to the 1/3 position as the thermostat opened and stayed there.
>
>  I shut it down, and 20 minute later, it kicked right off and ran
>  smoothly right from the start. Damn. If I'd ordered the brake parts, I
>  could get this baby rolling this week.
>
>  I'm still waiting for my Rimmers catalog to see what type of patch
>  panels are available, but in the meantime, I want to get this car ready
>  to roll. >>
>
> George, sounds about like my weekend, but you're way ahead of me!  I put in a
> battery this weekend and started troubleshooting electrical stuff.  Of all
> things the clock actually works!  So does the fuel pump and the starter.  Ran
> the pump for a while and had the same result as you - big puddle of fuel under
> the engine - gas pumping out the carb overflow; must be a stuck float.
> Cranked the engine over with the plugs out to blow out the oil I loaded in the
> cylinders - cranked over fine.  Hope to start it in a week or so.  Now I have
> a question:  I think I have a bad ignition switch.  It has two positions out
> of off that are non spring loaded - the 'run' position, I guess.  Initially I
> thought I had a bad fuel pump, but on going to crank the engine the pump came
> to life.  When I turn the key in the spring loaded position, the electric fuel
> pump starts to run.  If I turn it further, the starter engages.  But, if I
> release the key to the 'run' position the electric pump does not run - is this
> correct?  On my Healey, it has 3 positions of the key - off, run, start.  In
> the run position the fuel pump will run until the system comes up to pressure,
> then it shuts off.  I expected this on the Stag, but it's different.  Any
> suggestions?  Do I have a bad switch or is it working as it's supposed to?
> Help!
> Thanks,
> Frank M.

--
George Richardson
The Wyvern - '57 TR3, TS15559L - http://www.merlingroupinc.com/tr3.htm
The Hippogrif - '71 Stag MKI, LE8176E - soon to get a site of it's own