We're not strangers, we all have the same sickness, and attend the same
therapy classes (team.net.). Remember the old saying ="95 % of all carb
problems are Electrical" Glad you have it running again. "Have-A-Happy"
"FT"
----- Original Message -----
From: Ken Waringa <kwaringa@dynsys.com>
To: Triumphs <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 7:51 AM
Subject: IT'S ALIVE (Again)
>
> The saga started a couple weeks ago with a stuck float on the carb of my
71
> TR6. I pulled the car out of the garage to wet sand it prior to painting,
> but couldn't get it started to get it back in when I finished sanding.
> Seems one or both floats stuck drowning the engine with gas. Decided it
was
> time to rebuild the carbs, already had the kits on hand. Got the carbs
> rebuilt, put them back on still flooding. Pulled the carbs off again,
gave
> the original jets a real good cleaning and then replaced the Grose jets
with
> the original jets. Put everything back together, still wouldn't start. I
> got lots of great suggestions from list members, especially Roger Bolick.
> Roger sent me numerous messages in response to my questions. After a
couple
> days troubleshooting, I just couldn't understand why the car wouldn't
start.
> The carbs seemed to be acting properly, i.e. gas in the bowl, but not
> flooding the engine. I pulled each plug and verified I had spark. Just
> couldn't understand.
>
> Sunday I took a break from the car for my own sanity and to help preserve
my
> marriage. Needless to say, after fighting this thing for a week, my wife
> was staying well away from the garage. Even my 20 year old son who is
> eventually going to get this car stopped coming out and asking if he could
> help. Sunday I just cleaned the garage and did some 'honey do's'.
>
> Last night back at the car. During the garage clean up I found 4 spark
> plugs from some previous project (think a Ford Festiva) sitting on the
> bench. One of Roger's suggestions was to replace the plugs. I decided to
> put these four plugs in and give it a try. I checked the plugs to be sure
> they were the right size then started installing them. Prior to
installing
> the plugs, I would hold it against the block and turn over the engine to
be
> sure I had spark. I had replaced 2 and had the third in my hand against
the
> block. As I turned the engine to check the spark, it started! Scared the
> S#%T out of me, needless to say, I had lots of spark at the plug I was
> holding in my hand. I quickly shut off the engine, installed the two
> remaining plugs and started the car. If fired right up. I had to change
> the oil before I ran it much because I had as much gas in the sump as oil.
> I'll pick up a new set of plugs today and hopefully get the carbs adjusted
> tonight so I can get back on track with the painting.
>
> Thinking back on it, when I was checking the plugs for spark, I was
getting
> great spark from the plug threads to the block, but not seeing any spark
> between the electrode.
>
> Without all the help and suggestions I received from this list I'm sure I
> would have ended up taking the car to the local British car shop and
paying
> a fortune to have him get it running. I really appreciate all the help.
> It's great to know there are so many people out there that will take the
> time to assist a total stranger.
>
> Again, thanks a lot. If anyone ever gets to the Panama City Beach, FL
area
> give me a call. I normally keep some cold beer in the fridge in the
garage
> and we can discuss our LBCs. My number is in the phone book.
>
> Ken Waringa
>
>
>
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