SOLVED: 2000 SC won't start after 20+ years

M

MoneyPitRover

New Member
Hello all,

I recently bought a 1971 2000 SC Automatic that hasn't run in 20+ years. I bought her to teach myself how to fix up cars as I've never worked on a car with carbs before and she was only £500. I've already put quite a bit of effort into getting her started, but the most I can get the old girl to do is sputter, fart, and pop out of her carb. I imagine you're going to need some details.

What I've done so far:
  • Fresh oil
  • New coil
  • New distributor cap, points, condenser
  • New spark plugs
  • Serviced the carb using a genuine SU CSK62 kit (carb is AUD 401)
    • Wound the jet all the way up then backed it off two full turns, as per the official Rover workshop manual
    • Fresh dash pot oil
    • Performed a piston drop test (seems good)
  • Fresh fuel running off a boat tank into the mechanical pump
  • Set her timing by:
    • Aligning the crank sprocket marker with 4º BTDC
    • Setting the dizzy vacuum advance thingy to 4º BTDC
    • Set the points so that they're just about to open on the leading edge of the cam
    • Pointed the rotor at plug 4
  • Fitted the plugs in the correct order: 1, 3, 4, 2

What I'm getting:
  • Spark at all four plugs
  • Compression in all four cylinders
    • 1: 125psi
    • 2: 120psi
    • 3: 100psi (I think this is because I didn't crank for long enough
    • 4: 130psi
  • Fuel into the float bowl
  • Fuel into the jet and into the carb

What I'm experiencing:
  • Popping, farting, smoke, and fuel spitting out of the air intake part of the carb when I crank her over
  • If I crank multiple times after a while the plugs become wet (I pull them, clean them off, but still don't get a good result)
  • No matter what I do she just won't fire
I'm at the absolute limit of my skill and knowledge here and I'm looking for one of you seasoned chaps to weigh in and hopefully point out something really obvious and silly that I may have done or overlooked.

Thank you in advance!
 
Hmm, spitting from the carb could be bad ignition timing. I’d check that statically as per the manual. You’re using the choke when turning over right? And the fuel is fresh?
 
I would agree has to be timing
try moving the distributor whilst some cranks the engine
live tried this in the past just to get it running , then adjust properly
hope that helps
 
May be worth checking the static timing using a light or meter to check that points open on the 4º point
 
Take the plugs out, turn the engine over with a breaker bar, at the same time put a finger over No1 plug hole, turn over until you feel compression building, stop just before TDC aligns on crank, check rotor arm is just before post on No 1 lead on distributor cap.
You are most likely out on ign timing.
Still no joy, clean points, check gap, replace condenser.
 
  • Set her timing by:
    • Aligning the crank sprocket marker with 4º BTDC
    • Setting the dizzy vacuum advance thingy to 4º BTDC
    • Set the points so that they're just about to open on the leading edge of the cam
    • Pointed the rotor at plug 4
Rotor should be pointing at plug 1 I think, so you’ve got the ignition mistimed 180°

Yours
Vern
 
Thank you, gents. The timing was 180º out. Looks like I might have put the distributor back in the wrong way, so a simple flip of the plugs on the cap and she fired right up!

Head gasket has gone, though, it turns out. Doh!
 
I watch the video too. Good for him to lay bare the novice home mechanic experience. Has given me greater confidence to tackle jobs on my own car. Never realised that head comes off leaving the timing chain undisturbed. :) Also reminded me to re-visit the 4 stroke timing cycle to better understand 180 degrees out. Think I get it now, but could not explain it to anyone else.

Bear in mind I have replaced the V8 petrol engine in Range Rover, at home alone and still drive this car. Not claiming any great 'chops' for this, just showing that inexperienced hands can tackle most jobs.
Every day is a school day.
 
Last edited:
cracking video that and he does credit the forum in his YouTube for helping him solve the problem eg. "Try the distributor 180º" I watched the whole lot this morning on my TV - so well filmed
only thing is , now the car actually needs driving off , that's the bit he didnt do :LOL: come on MPR , it needs to go N to D
waiting for Part 2 now, I see from his history he's restored an Audi, a Mercedes a Fiat, the Rover is just his latest project, I was chuffed to see his (long suffering) missus come out of the house , one of the best bits of the video
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top