Maybe Another New Sammio kit!!!

[Mister Towed]

Could it be a faulty plug or lead? I had an intermittent misfire for a while that turned out to be a dodgy HT lead.

[micky1mo]

Still having problems

Fitted another set of carb from a running engine, NO GOOD
Fitted new dizzy, plugs, points, condenser, cap, leads, NO GOOD.
Reset the timing, checked the tappets, firing order etc, NO GOOD.
Compression per cylinder 150psi average,
Found water in the oil so removed the head.
Found this

Engine has brand new 20+ oversized pistons!! No wonder the compression was so high!!


Cylinder head looks to have new valves.

It appears the engine was rebuilt at some point and never run.
As I have only managed to get it running roughly I am now wondering if the valve/cam timing is correct although it looks OK from the outside.

All-in-all I am really getting pi**ed off with it.

[Mister Towed]

I know from bitter personal experience that it's possible to install a Triumph cam 180 degrees out and the engine will fire but run very badly. I'd be checking the valve sequence.

Oh, and you might want to clean all that crap off the valves too, mine ran much better once I did that -

[CallmeEnzo]

I see you are still using the BMW based car on your entries, Mike, and it still appears in one of the web sales pages. Have you sold it ? Also what has happened to the Reliant SS1 based car ?

[andrewhush]

Do the carbs still have the waxstat main jets fitted? Modifying them to fixed operation used to be cure for some running problems if I remember correctly

[swifty]

Did you managed to get the engine running, check you have a good fuel supply, good spark and then the timing of cam and dizzy. These engines are pretty straight forward to work on, old technology.

Ive found in the past that if you inherit another persons handy work it pays to have the frame of mind that all will be wrong and start at the beginning working through everything. You say the engine was running which suggests something small is at fault, does it idle ok or rough and was there plenty of power when pulling away.

[Paul L]

Micky1mo - This is definitely it's best side.



Do you need to add any shields to cover the big exhaust sections on the other side?

Good luck with sorting out the engine, Paul.

[micky1mo]

I think the whole car looks like it's been around for ever
The only thing that looks out of place is the seat because it looks new.

Fitted new dizzy plus ignition components and it's running much better but still a little lumpy on tick-over.
I will spend some time on it tomorrow.

[micky1mo]

Took the car for it's MOT test yesterday which it passed.

On the drive to the MOT station I had problems with the clutch, which turn out to be the slave cylinder and the mudguard stays rubbing the wheels after the suspension had settled.

Today I fitted a new clutch slave cylinder, re-bent the mudguard stays and continued/started the "road development" stage.

I contact John (the owner) to tell him what was happening and he soon joined me complete with flying helmet and goggles.

With much effort John climbed into the car ready for his first drive but managed to jam down the clutch pedal so hard a screw-driver was need to release it.
Undeterred, he did get on the road and slowly gained confidence/speed I think we once touched 40mph but had to stop as John nearly lost his flying helmet .
Our combined weight caused more problem with the mudguard stays so I'll re-bend them again in the morning.

All-in-all it's been a fun if not challenging build and John has been a pleasure to work with.

IMHO the car looks as if it's been around for years and has a oldie-worldie charm about it and should be let alone to age gracefully but it's John car and he'll do what he want's with it.

[MightyNimrod]

I think what Mike meant to say was 'John quickly gained confidence and turned out to be a natural, not even the Stig could have driven it better!'.

Great fun car and nothing fell off. Been great working with Mike ,- he has the patience of a Saint and what he has achieved with this car has been amazing

[Mister Towed]

Nice work getting it through the mot, well done!

What was the issue with your clutch master cylinder? I only ask because I have a long-term problem with mine - when I rebuilt the running gear I used cheap new master cylinders bought from an ebay seller for both brakes and clutch. The one I put on the brake circuit locked the brakes on every time you pushed the pedal. the seller replaced it quickly and without any fuss, which was good, but roughly every 500 miles or so I start to get clutch slip on acceleration (I fitted a new clutch just after I mot'd it btw).

Momentarily loosening the nut locking the pipe from the clutch master to the slave cylinder results in a spurt of pressurised clutch fluid and the clutch resets and is fine for the next 500 miles.

I suppose I really ought to replace the master cylinder, but I just haven't got round to it yet. Having said that, the last time it did it was just as I pulled out onto a busy dual carriageway from a standstill, which was a bit scary when I didn't get the go I was hoping for.

[Paul L]

Sounds like great teamwork all round.

Micky1Mo - Congratulations on the MOT pass.

Mighty Nimrod - Enjoy your car.

[micky1mo]

Mighty Nimrodcollected his car today ready for the 20 mile drive home.

But first he had to show it off to his son.




On thier return form a "lap-around-the-estate" I could smell burning rubber so I had to modify the exhaust to clear the rear wheel.
.

He drove the 20 miles home with no serious mishaps but I expect to see him in a few weeks with a list of required modification.

[Mister Towed]

My goodness that cockpit's snug. Totally bonkers car though, I love it!

[oxford1360]

Tighter than pair of trousers that have been hot-washed.

[micky1mo]

The cockpit is 36" wide and as you say very "snug".
The fun is watching somebody getting in or out which it resembles controlled falling.

I am currently finishing a similar racer style car.


This cockpit is only 30" wide so it's a 1+1 only.

[oxford1360]

Is that the one that was on eBay a couple of months ago? I saw it and thought it looked rather interesting.

[micky1mo]

That's the one.
Uses a GT6 rear end and a Spitfire front end welded to a box section 4x2 ladder style chassis.

Overall it a good idea but it looks like it's been through a few hands before coming to me so needs a fair bit of sorting out.


Fitted a 2.5 six cylinder engine, left over from Mighty Nimrod's build.


Re-styled the back end.


Now looking for a suitable fuel tank and a set of bigger wheels.

[oxford1360]

I really like the shape. Do you plan to clad it in aluminium?

[micky1mo]

Yep, clad in aluminium and painted BRG.

I think the shape is an effort to copy a ERA only this is a VERY tight 2 seater.