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hard starting

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wild.blue(at)verizon.net
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Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: hard starting

Hey Val--



When I was a kid, a lucky friend had an Austin Healey.  Fun!  One day he

came by and said it had developed a misfire--what could be The Problem? 

Being highly experienced know-it-alls who read all the magazines, after

driving it really fast and blipping the throttle about 10,000 times, we

concluded it needed an engine overhaul.  So, we tore the engine down,

replaced rings, bearings, points, condenser, rotor, cap, seals (and the

clutch, too, I seem to recall), ground the valves, rebuilt the carburetors

etc.  Everything we could think of.  New battery and muffler (no doubt a

$500 Italian after-market go-fast variety), too, I think.  Started her up

and guess what--it still had the misfire!  Crikey!  Took it down to the

local gas station where they put it on the scope and immediately found a bad

spark plug--impossible!  It was equipped with brand new $500 per Golden

Lodge spark plugs my friend had installed just before the misfire

developed--that couldn't possibly be The Problem!  Five minutes and two

bucks later it ran great--just like it did before he installed the $500

Golden Lodge plugs.  



Don't recall, but in retrospect I suspect my friend (not me--no way!)

dropped the offending plug during installation.



OTOH, one of the primary problems we've seen with hard starting/misfiring

-52's and CJ's isn't the plugs--it's that they're mostly still equipped with

their original issue and now shot ignition harnesses.  Both the Russian and

Chinese wires have comparatively short service lives because of the

materials they use(d). Over There They have calendar service life limits on

most consumables, but We just rely on Condition and ignore the TIS limits. 

So, while we ignore--and exceed--the TIS limits, oil, water, fuel etc

collect in the ring, cause the wires to deteriorate (as in turn to goo) and

finally, fail. 



If you're experiencing hard starting or misfires, one of the first things to

do is check the wires.  If they're bad (very likely if OEM) replace them

with high quality 5mm US wire.  Not surprised at all that your conversion

kit makes a big improvement, Dennis.



 



There is no question that auto plugs (and wire) are way cheaper than the

aviation variety.  OTOH aviation plugs and wires don't look like auto stuff

and cost more for some very good reasons.  Aviation plugs last a very long

time and are a relatively minor cost item.  But if you drop a plug it is

ruined (cracked or broken porcelain), regardless of brand.  Don't work so

well in Austin Healeys or airplanes.  A harness that has turned to goo isn't

much good, either.



Do some diagnostics before you overhaul.  I'll give you my buddy's phone

number if you need advice--I might even still have some magazines laying

around.  A nomex flight suit and helmet might help, too.  Just kidding.



Jerry Painter



Wild Blue Aviation



425-876-0865



wild.blue(at)verizon.net 



http://mysite.verizon.net/res0cs5r/index.html

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Valkyre1(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:15 am Post subject: hard starting

Thanks Jerry-

  

  

 You've given me some more things to think about on  the spark plug kit installation, an entertaining story, and a good laugh. A  great way to start the day. ( I suspect your "friend" is a bit more careful  these days too.)

  

 -Val

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