I want to get this car mobile so I can move it around in my shed!

I have had it running, but it was very hard to start. It won't start now, spark looks a bit weak.

It spins over very well (huge battery on it - N120 with truck jumper leads) then occasionally it kicks back like it is advanced. A kick back through the carb sometimes. I adjusted the distributor both ways and it would not start. it sounded like it was 'exploding' in the exhaust when I moved it one way. Plugs look good, but are a bit dark now.

Maybe the points are no good, just want some ideas from those who know.

When I had it running the timing chain sounded like it was going to fly off, really really noisy. Is this a common fault and can it be fixed easily, inexpensively?

If I get motivated this car might later become my turbo beater, 1600 Tipo motor. Perhaps with 1100 or 1300 head. But on to that subject later.

Yeah, almost definitely the points... Points gap also affects timing. If the gap is too wide, the points will be opening too early - and also the spark will be weak.

Run a piece of fine sandpaper (600 grit) through the points a few times, then set the gap to about the thickness of a business card* when the points cam is on the maximum opening. That should get it to fire...

Speaking of 'fire', I added 903cc to the title of this thread, to save confusion... since the Uno 45 often has the FIRE engine and doesn't have points.

-Alex


* I decided to measure the thickness of typical business cards, to see how far off all those roadside settings were over the years, and it came out to 0.35mm on average, which is pretty much spot-on. I think the quoted gap is 0.40mm. Less gap means coil will be 'on' more of the time, so better sparks.

I had forgotten how bad it was running when I did get it started last time!!. So tow start and off we went, on 2.5 cylinders!! Crossed plug leads, very little points gap, and one of the two carb mounting studs was down the throat of the carb stopping the choke work. No thread left in the carb top! Great combination!

suspect the condensor too

you'll know (or maybe not) when it fails. weak spark to the point of no start.

Something i once overlooked on the 903 - and the ast thing I changed was...

Ahhmm, was starting ok last night. Not this morning.

I have discovered the dwell is bouncing all over the place, bushes in dissy no good I guess. Also it tried to fire in the exhaust, timing is set according to the marks on the front crank pulley. As I tried to start it with my head under the bonnet I could hear just hear sparks cracking. Maybe a dodgy dist cap. Off the try some nail polish and see what happens.

I will remember the condensor, could be. I have only replaced one in over 35 years messing with cars, so I tend not think about them.

First time I didn’t replace the condenser it ended up breaking – typical.

Are the points fixed in place?

That little screw is a really bad design IMO they always seemed to slip on my 903cc Unos.. As it screws into alloy, once it's lost it's thread you'll struggle to re-tap it. I think it's the weak sopt on the 903cc engine

I ended up having a bolt welded into the base plate with threads sticking upwards the nut lasted the rest of the car's life and points never unwontedly slipped again .