Well, this afternoon, out came the plugs for a compression test as a first check for obvious washer-related damage.
I took a photo to show the reading on the gauge but failed to save it to the SD card in the phone so you'll need to believe this:
All four cylinders read within less than 1% of 218psi! Healthy figures as expected, including from number one, where a plug with the porcelain broken away around the bent remains of the centre electrode was found, the outer electrode having been bent completely away from the plug's centre. The good news was that, sitting there, hooked around the bent centre electrode, was the elusive washer, or at least a large portion of it.

So, after Ben bought a spark plug and fitted that, the engine was started and ran sweetly, then came a rattle that at first sounded like an end noise. Strangely, it went away again and stayed away until the engine was turned off, then restarted which was tricky as the starter motor was misbehaving. I had a listen around the block and head with the Tommy bar of the plug spanner as a stethoscope, nothing but smoothness, but the current thinking is that the starter pinion is playing silly buggers and the noise of that, catching occasionally on the ring gear, was causing that worrying knock.

Ben still has to address a stripped stud in the carb before pressing the car back into regular service, but other than that, all was found to be well and at least that sweet little engine is still sweet. Phew!

I also took a photo of an axe being used as an improvised starter wake-up device, perhaps as well that one didn't save either......

Many many thanks to John for all of his advice, help, direction and cheaufering duties today.
Seems b14s really are quite hard to kill.

Shame the pic of using the axe got lost. Surely the first time anyones got a 300 going using such a bizzare tool.

the future looks bright though.

sort the starter problem, new carb, and hopefully drive it again!

Result

volvosneverdie wrote:Shame the pic of using the axe got lost. Surely the first time anyones got a 300 going using such a bizzare tool.

Nah, sorry chap

Don't get a new carb. Either tap it out to the next size (fairly scary, metal shavings to get in the engine plus same thing can happen again) or make a stud up.

What you really want is a bolt with no thread through the bit where it passes through the carb flange of the same size of the orig bolt, that way the thread won't wear away the flange more.

wtf, i (well, my dad drove!) had the same thing; a spring-washer and normal washer M8 went in; destroyed plug's 3 and 4, very worrying rattle and not running smooth. did a CR test and saw a 70psi drop on those 2 cylinders.

you're definatly a lucky bastard Ben!!

Chris_C wrote:
What you really want is a bolt with no thread through the bit where it passes through the carb flange of the same size of the orig bolt, that way the thread won't wear away the flange more.

that would only get me back to page 1 of this thread.

I might be able to lay my hands on a carb. If I do, you won't be getting it directly, but via a third party competent in the use of sockets

Good news VND. I've run a rough running B14 for miles after miles until further inspection by knowledgeable people revealed that one of the pushrods had worked itself loose, effectively eliminating one cilinder (hence the rough running). What happened: I adjusted the valve clearances for the first time in my life and had probably forgotten to tighten the securing nut properly. You see, we are far too kind to work on cars, frightened to break something by overtightening things, and there you are...

volvodspec wrote:
you're definatly a lucky bastard Ben!!

I think the car took pity on me and did uts best to stick the rubbish up the plug where it would be easy to get out.
Mans best friend a dog? No, mines a 340.

nvdw wrote: You see, we are far too kind to work on cars, frightened to break something by overtightening things, and there you are...

Tell that to my carb bolts dude.

Fixed!

fingers crossed, touch wood, touch back - no swappies back etc.

see main thread.

Vari-Ho

FFS.

Origonal running issued have returned (after a new carb)

So, the carb has been changed for a one known to be in good order so we can rule out -
Engine. seems ok. - havnt changed ign parts (bar one plug) but everything looks ok.
Carb base warping
Carb soleiod
Loose carb Bolts.

Note - This ONLY starts happening after prolonged use, 20 - 30 mins and make the car a bitch al low steady speeds.

Got to be an air leak somewhere then surely??
But why only after 20 - 30 mins of running?

Buh.

Fuel supply problem? Is my first random thought.

Could be electrical. I had Kawasaki years ago what would misfire when hot. Ran perfect cold. Was a dodgy electrical connection breaking down under heat. That's a second random not necessarily related to the first.

Do you have an in-line fuel filter? Is the expansion bottle in the boot properly plumbed in? Are all fuel lines good?


no diesel in it?

macplaxton wrote:Fuel supply problem? Is my first random thought.

Could be electrical. I had Kawasaki years ago what would misfire when hot. Ran perfect cold. Was a dodgy electrical connection breaking down under heat. That's a second random not necessarily related to the first.

Do you have an in-line fuel filter? Is the expansion bottle in the boot properly plumbed in? Are all fuel lines good?


no diesel in it?

No Dweezil in it.
No in line filter, (not that Ive seen mind)
Not checked the fuel lines, so thats something to do. No OBVIOUS leaks though. Ie nothing dripping, no smell.
There was a smell of gas (american petrol) but that was diagnosed as overfilling, and cleared in a day.

Cheers Mac, I'll have a look at the lines.
John thinks try the Vaccuum valve too, so Ive got to be strking off the "possible causes" list.

What condition is your spaceman tube in mate? Though that would suggest the flappy thing still works, which is never the case!

Chris_C wrote:What condition is your spaceman tube in mate? Though that would suggest the flappy thing still works, which is never the case!

Whats a spaceman tube chris?