Car not starting well, seems to be miss firing

[rreems]

Hi took my My 1968 4 door for a run all running well returned home and the car wouldn't start at first, got it started with great difficulty missing terribly thought it was the plugs changed those still the same problem, then I noticed a strange noise coming from the carb took the Air cleaner off as I accelerated petrol was coming out of the inlet!

Any ideas greatly welcomed
Richard

[Murrayminor]

When you say petrol was coming out of the inlet do you mean out of the mouth of the Carburettor?
If so it could be a flooded carburettor, check if there is oil in the dashpot, check if the piston within the carb is moving freely and clean.
I would not drive the car until you have found the leak, it could be a split or perished fuel pipe feeding the carb.

Check the above as a first step then if nothing jumps out we can delve further.

[kennatt]

check the choke is off..... push the jet assembly up to check that it is returning full up after choke used.

[rreems]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the advice, the Petrol is spitting out where the air cleaner would be
Will try these steps and let you know how it goes
Thanks again
Richard

[simmitc]

Do you know how to check the float and needle valve? If yes, have a look at those, if no, then we can provide detailed instructions.

I'm also wondering whether you have an inlet valve that has broken as this would cause a spit-back through the carb. If you have a compression gauge then check with that, if not, then remove three of the plugs and turn the engine using the starting handle. Can you feel good compression? Repeat for the other three cylinders, having just the plug fitted for the cylinder you are testing. All four should feel about the same.

[rreems]

Hi
I did take the rocker cover off to see if the Valves were ok and nothing was amiss there! I'll try and borrow a compression tester and give that a go! I've removed the carb for cleaning and checking failing this I suspect a valve or cylinder head Problem Maybe
Regards

Richard

[simmitc]

Unfortunately, you can't see the business end of the valve from the rocker area, only the tip of the valve stem. It's the crown of the valve that tends to break or the seat gets damaged, and you can see those only when the head is off, or perhaps using an endoscope through the plug hole.

[rreems]

Hi Guys
I’ve found the problem but not sure of the cause!
Head gasket blown between 3rd and 4th
Cylinder! Uploaded a photo hope you can see it
Would welcome any ideas
Richard

attachment=0]7484C4D4-1D79-43EE-BA27-0B7D9A9057D6.jpeg[/attachment]

[simmitc]

Ah, that sort of failure is usually accompanied by a tell tale lnoise, but I don't recall you mentioning anything like that. Regretfully it's a fairly common failure - seems to be much more so these days than in the past. Hopefully you did not run the engine for too long with the problem - prolonged use can damage the block and head.

Use a straight edge to check for any damage - the block and head should be absolutely flat. If damaged, then you may need to get one or both skimmed. When happy that both are OK, clean surfaces, fit new gasket - observe correct orientation. Follow torque sequence in manual and retorque after heating and again after 500 miles.

[Trickydicky]

I would also check the rear of the head for correct cooling and water flow around the block. Overheating may have caused the problem.

[rreems]

Thanks again really appreciate your advice
Richard

[rreems]

Is this a common failure because of the modern parts that are available Today?
R

[ampwhu]

I would suggest buying a payern gasket. Mini spares are good for that. Dont use composite gaskets. There rubbish.

[rreems]

I bought a head gal set from ESM, carb gsk all Fitted job done!
Thanks for your input really invaluable
R