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MG TD TF 1500 - 51 TD successful engine start

OK, she started. I had to put the choke on to get her to run solidly for a minute, but she turned over just fine. Yeeha! (Electrical issue was a loose wire to the ballast of coil).
I only ran it for a few seconds continuously, but she had over 40lbs oil pressure on the meter when I looked at it, so I think that's going to be fine.
QUESTION: While everything else looks fine, the crank pulley was hot. My thinking is that this is it rubbing on the rope seal. Is this normal/OK until it "beds" the seal in?

Making progress!
Geoffrey M Baker


And second time trying to turn over, the starter motor locked up. I looked in the archives and see how to engage/disengage it from the flywheel; I'll do that in the morning and give it another try.
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoffrey,
That's a common problem. It's addressed on p.56 of the owner's manual.
Joe

Joe Olson

Thanks Joe, that's what I found in the archives. I'll do it in the morning. I was immediately worried that the engine had frozen, but no, I could easily turn it with the starting handle!
Geoffrey M Baker

I should apologize; I was asked about taking a video of this startup (after a total engine rebuild). Problem was, I started this morning and had my phone ready to take video... and she wouldn't start.
Fiddled around, she wouldn't start.
Got annoyed, she wouldn't start.
Redid valve settings, TDC, distributor setting, contacts, she wouldn't start.
When I finally found the problem (loose wire on the ballast of my old non-original coil) and she started, I'd stopped getting video ready...
Isn't that ALWAYS how it goes? :)
Geoffrey M Baker



Geoff, The Crankshaft pulley shouldn't be any hotter than the rest of the engine. I'd recommend a few drops of oil on the pulley shaft where it goes into the rope seal area.

Also, at this stage the last thing you want is a problem with the flywheel ring gear. I'd recommend you pull the starter and check the drive pinion for any damage. If OK, Clean dirt/rust off of it where it rotates on the shaft/threaded drive spool and apply a small amount of oil to prevent it from sticking in the extended position. Too much oil just attracts dirt, so only enough oil to stop rust and allow it to retract from the engaged position.
Richard Cameron

Thanks for the advice Richard, will do. I am a bit concerned, but I do think that the issue arises from the rope seal and the fact I had to crank the sump and timing cover together pretty tight to seal it up. Not sure if I should redo it (major PITA) or just let it "set"... I'll keep track of the temperature.
I've never had a problem with the starter/flywheel before, but I guess there's always a starting point. Definitely I was cranking it a lot (first without plugs for a few hundred revs) then with.... I'll make sure it releases, and then works properly...
Geoffrey M Baker

Steer clear of oiling the starter pinion, graphite powder is the solution.
G Evans

Starter disconnected from flywheel, no problem. just turned the square thingy a bit and turned the crank handle a bit, and all good.
But now starter spins but won't engage.
I'm thinking I just don't have enough power in the batter so I'm leaving it on charge for an hour we'll see if that makes a difference.
Geoffrey M Baker

OK, no go. Starter just spins and won't engage, the battery is charged. I guess the next step is to pull the starter and check it...
Geoffrey M Baker

Rats. Took the starter out, didn't solve the problem. I'm going to start a new thread on the starter issue.
Geoffrey M Baker

Starter problem fixed (see other thread). Started the engine, she started right up and ran evenly. Ran her for about a minute. Oil pressure rose to 40lbs, a bit disappointing.
Once I stopped the engine, I noticed a fast oil leak, coming from the pedal box! How could that happen? Oh yes, its dripping onto the pedal box from the bulkhead oil meter connection junction, which must be loose... and may well account for my lower-than-expected oil pressure.
I have to get back to the real world and won't be working on Lily Christin IV until Monday or Tuesday... but today was a very good day!!
Geoffrey M Baker

OK, back to Lily Christine IV. Could not start her today. I'm thinking I'm still having electrical issues. I installed a new battery, and the starter now works like a champ, so that was definitely a juice issue.
Not sure what's going on, but I'm thinking that I'm back in the world of spark... probably not getting much/any. Probably time to replace the 30+ year old non-original non-standard external resist coil, with a modern one. Once I've done that, it's probably time to look at the timing etc. I know she's started twice since the engine rebuild, and the fuel system all looks good. And when she did start, she ran evenly.
Anyway, it's getting on to Christmas and I won't be back to this until the New Year. So my plan is (maybe) have a new coil ordered for Jan 1, install it, and get a friend to help me look at timing and tuning.
I don't think I'll have too much problem getting her going again, esp if I have warmer weather.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas everyone and have a great New Year!
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoff,
Before you go ordering parts, you say
>>t I'm thinking that I'm back in the world of spark<<
have you held a plug against ground (block) to see if there is a spark as it cranks over ??

SPW
Steve Wincze

Yep Steve, I did and couldn't see anything.
But conditions weren't ideal; I was holding both the starter button and stretching to reach the spark plug and the day was sunny.
When I get back, I'll get a friend to pull the starter as I examine the plug carefully for spark in the shade..
Geoffrey M Baker

Before outlaying funds do the simple observations prior.

Have your points closed up.
Turn on the ignition and with dizzy cap removed, using a screwdriver open and close the points you should see sparking.
Going on your previous posts I would still be concerned that you have the engine earthed satisfactorily. A bad earth will conduct the currents consumed by the starter yet may not sustain your ignition system. To prove using a jumper lead make a direct connection to the block and the battery earthing post.

G Evans

Sorry Peter I should have mentioned that I installed a new ground...
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoff I guess you meant Graeme. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

You NSW boys all sound alike 😃
Geoffrey M Baker

I will recheck the earth, the new strap may still not be grounding well, I'll make sure I've got bare metal.
Then I will go through the usual spark checks before buying a new coil.
But I should probably replace it anyway!
Geoffrey M Baker

This thread was discussed between 08/12/2015 and 20/12/2015

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