MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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PaulV8
Paul Avery
England
(18 posts)

Registered:
11/13/2007 03:57PM

Main British Car:
'78 B Roadster V8 , '96 RV8 , '75 MGB GT Jubilee '77 B Roadster , '71 B Roadster , + others

authors avatar
215 setup advice
Posted by: PaulV8
Date: February 21, 2008 05:17PM

Hi guys,

I need a bit of advice on my setup, i'll list it all so far to give you an idea on what i'm running.

Weber/Edelbrock 500
Mallory Dual Point Distributor
Fast road cam shaft
3.5 SD1 Rebored 20 thou over
9.75:1 pistons
Standard spec crank
Standard SD1 flywheel
Block Hugger manifolds
Offenhauser Dual port manifold

I've fitted the correct jets to the edelbrock, gapped the floats, installed the mallory correctly along with a new coil and HT leads. Also new plugs gapped to 30thou.

The ignition timing is set to about 8 degrees BTDC. Idle CO @1200rpm is 3.5% and HC is 400ppm.

The problem i'm having is the car is really difficult to start, it takes a good 10 to 15 seconds or more of turning over before it will fire cold or warm.

Have you got any tips on setup for easier starting? Or comments on the way i have it setup currently?

Any advice would really be helpful.

Thanks in advance.

Paul


Simon Austin
Simon Austin
Surrey, British Columbia
(107 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 01:44AM

Main British Car:
1977 MGB V8 / 1970 MGB GT V8 project Rover 3.5 / Rover 3.5

Re: 215 setup advice
Posted by: Simon Austin
Date: February 22, 2008 01:58PM

I haven't got my emissions test report handy, Paul, so can't comment on your readings. My car is set-up much like your's except for a Buick distributor with Pertronix igniton, RV8 headers, Edelbrock intake and stock SD1 rebuild.

What jets did you put in the carb? As for starting, mine would usually take a bit of time getting going as I kept thinking I was giving it too much choke, then not enough choke and wasn't sure if I was flooding it or not. I checked with my engine builder on proper technique with this carb (Carter/Weber/Edelbrock) and he said, "use about 1/2" choke and as it's turning over initially, give it a couple of hits with the throttle to get the accelerator pump working". I tried this just before I parked it for the winter and it did seem to make a difference. Did you install your carb with a manual or electric choke?

Just for reference sake, your idle speed is about where I have to set mine to get it through emissions testing. I just bought a driveable SD1 and while driving it home yesterday, I noticed the idle is around 900 or so. Granted it's fuel-injected but interesting to see the difference.

Cheers
Simon


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: 215 setup advice
Posted by: Moderator
Date: February 22, 2008 04:44PM

I don't remember what ignition settings I'm running, but as a general rule remember that less initial ignition advance will usually result in easier starting. I think the Buick/Olds factory manual calls for 5 degree BTDC at 850rpm.

You're probably running an electric fuel pump, right? Try letting the fuel pump run for five or six seconds, then tap the throttle two or three times, which will make the accelerator-pump squirt. Mine generally starts right away without any choke. If I don't let the fuel pump run first a little first, the car doesn't seem to start so easily.


Mr. T
Tony Andrews
Kent Island, Maryland
(153 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 03:59PM

Main British Car:
'75 mgb, '74 grille, morspeed bumpers Rover 3.9

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Re: 215 setup advice
Posted by: Mr. T
Date: February 22, 2008 09:38PM

Thanks Curtis - I've had the same issue as Paul from time to time. My drop-base air cleaner was already modified for manual choke clearance when I bought car, but it's now hanging up - need to adjust cable and /or give it a couple more whacks.


castlesid
Kevin Jackson
Sidcup UK
(361 posts)

Registered:
11/18/2007 10:38AM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB GT Rover V8 4.35L

Re: 215 setup advice
Posted by: castlesid
Date: February 25, 2008 12:35PM

I was always a bit nervous of giving the engine full choke, but found it was more likely to flood by continous use of the starter without actually starting.

My current method from cold is full choke then as soon as it catches push the choke in to about half way, it should start almost straight away.

Kevin.


PaulV8
Paul Avery
England
(18 posts)

Registered:
11/13/2007 03:57PM

Main British Car:
'78 B Roadster V8 , '96 RV8 , '75 MGB GT Jubilee '77 B Roadster , '71 B Roadster , + others

authors avatar
Re: 215 setup advice
Posted by: PaulV8
Date: March 04, 2008 04:49PM

Cheers guys,

After some playing about I've worked out 2 pumps of the throttle then turn it over from cold does the trick.

Warm it's best not to use any throttle otherwise it floods.

Once it's run in i'm going to make a trip to a V8 specialist and have it rolling roaded and hopefuly we can tune it more accurately.

Just going to sort a photo gallery page out for it... seeing as it's almost complete.


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4576 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

authors avatar
Re: 215 setup advice
Posted by: Moderator
Date: March 04, 2008 05:13PM

Excellent news!

"Just going to sort a photo gallery page out for it... seeing as it's almost complete."

Please note that there are important tips about submitting photos on this page: [www.britishv8.org]



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