4 Year Idle, First Start Dissappointment

[215m3]

My fathers V12 had been sitting for a while and it eventually arrived at my unit. It overheated on his drive the last time he started it.

I have replaced the hoses, fuel and coolant, had a new wiring harness for the radiator relay and fans. Refurbished radiator and cooling fans. I also replaced the diaphragms on the Stromberg's as a precaution (lined the positioning tabs on the rubber correctly). New coolant and otter switches as well as relays and thermostats. New fuel pump and 20ltr of fresh petrol.

The engine has a spark and the spark leads are in the correct order, plenty of fuel being pumped through. The engine turns over, sparks, but does not start. Choke is out. Could the Stromberg's be stuck? I put fresh oil in the pots.

Am I missing something?

[215m3]

Got her started, there are 2 distributor diagrams for cap to spark plug and I had used the wrong one. Moved them all round one and she started.

The fans did not kick in, so need to check the wiring to the relay. Problem is the relay does not have any markings on it that correlates with the diagram numbers.

[215m3]

Fan relay changed and now they kick in. Now to fix the faults and get her out for a test drive, luckily on a private airfield!

[Craig Balzer]

Toby -- you are so quick on updating your posts and correcting items under the bonnet, no one had time to chime in. At this pace, your Jag will be running smoothly, stopping adroitly, and winning Concours hands-down.

Craig

[215m3]

Thanks Craig, maybe of help for people in the future as I could not find any help. Managed to get the revs down a little and at 1500 on tick over when warm at the moment.

When up to temperetaure with the fans running she stayed cool and the temp gauge was just over half, so pleased with this.

This is not a concours car!

[PeterCrespin]

Am I missing something?

I'm afraid so.

Until you put her at the top of your signature list instead of at the bottom, she will continue to pout. Oh, and be sure to send the Overfinch onto the landing strip first to clear any cowpats, or there will be trouble...

HTH

Pete

[215m3]

Thanks Pete, helps greatly....

The Overfinch is my daily and the rest is order of oldest in my custodianship. Though my father purchaed the e type in 2002.

[PeterCrespin]

Working backwards, engines are air pumps and will gobble whatever air they can get. For you to get the idle *down* to 1500 with normal adjustments backed off, means there’s a large air leak somewhere. Study the full vacuum diagram for your car’s version of emissions and gearbox and chrck for split hoses if all present. The throttle plates should seal properly at the venturi and bushes too.