head gasket, ignition system, 40s - tried all, no luck

[johnny27]

At my wits end with my 1.2, its running sorta okay when its cold, it won't fire when starting when its hot, when it does go it won't idle (keeps cutting out) when driving its spitting and popping and flat spots. Tried everything with it, changed entire ignition system including new dizzy and got it timed, replaced head gasket, skimmed head, checked all the valves, cleaned the jets in the 40s 3 times, tried adjusting mixture as well. Also checked the bores and have no wear what so ever, engine has alot of compression so it seems the rings are alright. Any help or suggestions be really appericated, the only thing i can think to cure it is to put an engine i know is running alright into it, cheers.

[Philsutton]

have the carbs been re-jetted for the 1.2? and set up

[Dan]

i'll agree with phil on this one, have you spent the money on a r/r to get the carbs set for your engine, as even 2 identical spec engines will have slightly different settings

[johnny27]

to be honest they have'nt. Rolling roads or dyno testing are not available much here in NI, about 150 mile from me for the nearest one. Thing is tho, that the carbs and engine where running fine up on till 3 months ago, and no changes had been made to engine or any settings. Just happened all of a sudden.

[Aragorn]

too much fuel pressure bent the needles on the float chambers causing them to overfill and flood the engine?

[morrie]

Check it hasnt got an in line fuel filter, my red nova had one and it used to pop and splutter and cut out when it was choked.

[DrivingSpanner]

maybe to rich, have you tried looking at the plugs straight after it has been running, are you sure that the cam timing is set correct?

[johnny27]

mixture is correct according to the colour of the plugs and no white or black smoke when engine is hot. Timing was set with strobe light. Is it possible that the carbs being not balanced could cause this problem?

[DrivingSpanner]

highly possable