[Spridgets] battery drain--update

[WFO Herb]

On Mon, Nov 30, 2009 at 4:05 PM, Andy Webster <a_d_webster at yahoo.com.au>wrote:

> Greetings folks,
> I had my alternator repaired (rectifier had blown diodes) and put it back
> in
> last night.
> No more ignition light unless the ignition is on and the engine stopped (as
> it
> should be).
>  The  auto electrician showed me the old rectifier, and how one of the
> diode
> wires had earthed against a plate and welded to it.
> He also said that it wasn't a genuine Lucas rectifier and that the diodes
> were
> very cheap and feeble looking.
> He reckoned the alternator was a 'bitsa' . The only thing that bore the
> Lucas
> name was the outer case.
>
> Engine is still running like a pig, so the search continues....
>
> To be honest I am a  bit stumped.
>
> The engine will run, but it misses and pops and spits out the carb.
>

Check: early ignition timing, advanced cam timing, lean fuel mixture.

>
> My engine has a "TRIGER"  Gilmer belt cam drive. Has anyone ever heard of
> these jumping a tooth and putting the valve timing out by a few degrees? It
> doesn't seem likely......I think I am clutching at straws here...
>
> My spark seems healthy enough... and the single SU (hif-44) seems to be
> fine..
> I pulled the dashpot off and checked for dirt in the jet and anything that
> might be wrong...but found nothing suspect.
>
> I figure that whilst the alternator was knackered, it was hurling
> alternating
> current through the wires, which can't have done much good for anything. I
> am
> wondering if this might have damaged the coil.... the symptoms don't seem
> to
> fit with a bad coil though....
>
> I think I will put one of my dellortos on, just to see if I can eliminate
> the
> SU from the line-up.
>
> open to ideas and suggestions.
>
> Cheers
>
> Andy
> Gold Coast