A running engine....just!

After many hours (weekends and evenings only!), all the engine bits are now finally back together. Here's the list of new items:

A fully reassembled engine

• Timing belt
• Tensioner pulley bearing
• Tensioner body (after original broke when putting it together!)
• Auxiliary belt (water pump and alternator)
• Spark plugs
• Oil filter
• Air filter
• Air intake hose
• Cam cover breather hose
• Carburettor lid gaskets
• Intake manifold spacer O-rings
• Carburettor choke linkage

With the battery charged up, it was time to turn the key....

First of all with the spark plugs out just to make sure everything turned over OK. It had seemed fine when turning over by hand on the crank pulley bolt. And it seemed fine on the starter motor too (after finally figuring out that there was an immobiliser....!!). However, it became clear that there was no fuel and closer inspection of the pump revealed there was no noise. After taking some advice, a sharp tap with a "Birmingham spanner" (or a "hammer" to you and me!) did the trick and there was some obvious ticking sounds. So no more excuses! 

Comparing spark plugs

And lo and behold, with a bit of encouragement, we had a running engine! Having said that, it was pretty clear that not everything was 100% right. Out of about 6 attempts, there was only one successful start that lasted more than about 30 seconds. And even then it sounded a little rough. After leaving it overnight, as it was pretty likely there was some flooding, I tried again but this time there was no sign of life. I thought it would be interesting to have a look at the spark plugs and the evidence, as shown in the image, seems to point to no spark in cylinder 1. The other 3 spark plugs are pretty obviously coked while cylinder 1's spark plug was still completely clean and shiny. So next task will be to investigate the cause...