First drive in 14 years,was bitter sweet...Autobox issue

[iani]

Took the plugs out tonight, same plugs that have been in the car since lay up, although newly installed at that time ,NGK's. As all they had done over the lay up period is cold start and idle, they would appear sooty.
So since they served a proper purpose yesterday, as in an actual run, i thought i would check in on them. Front bank - darkish brown,dry. Rear bank - all but black,dry. So to me that indicates a soundish front carb, but a rich running rear ? Cant see that being a bearing on the box, but just thought i would mention it.
Regards,Nige.

Fuel doesn’t like to sit around for long periods, crud can form & gum needle valves etc up, might be worth a strip & clean, I assume you are on SU’s? If strombergs the diaphragms should be checked

[Forkie]

Tank was emptied /removed from fuel link years ago when the 90 degree bend thro' bulkhead snapped on removal. Been running it on a fuel can direct to pump via a filter and fuel pipe for years. At somepoint will put up video of first drive out of garage just before xmas, you will see the fuel supply trapped under bonnet. And yes, am running SU's. Ive tried everything by the book. Sometimes things work, most times they dont seem to though
Thanks for your input

[johnnydog]

As an aside Johnnydog, did you receive my email regarding valuation?
Many thanks, Nige.

Hi Nige,
I have just checked my emails - the ones you sent were in my Spam folder!
I'll read them properly at some point tomorrow and get back in touch.
Thanks,
John

[johnnydog]

Took the plugs out tonight, same plugs that have been in the car since lay up, although newly installed at that time ,NGK's. As all they had done over the lay up period is cold start and idle, they would appear sooty.
So since they served a proper purpose yesterday, as in an actual run, i thought i would check in on them. Front bank - darkish brown,dry. Rear bank - all but black,dry. So to me that indicates a soundish front carb, but a rich running rear ? Cant see that being a bearing on the box, but just thought i would mention it.
Regards,Nige.

Fuel doesn’t like to sit around for long periods, crud can form & gum needle valves etc up, might be worth a strip & clean, I assume you are on SU’s? If strombergs the diaphragms should be checked

I agree. Although the carbs seemed to be performing well when it was laid up, modern fuel with ethanol can play havoc with carbs if left for any period of time, unless it has an additive such as Millers VSPe which helps stabilise the fuel over the winter months etc. I'd avoid E10 as much as you can too!
Storage won't result in the carbs 'going out of tune', so I would check for sticking float valves, or the piston in the affected carb sticking. Being an S, I would also replace the inline fuel filter by the bulkhead just prior to the fuel pump. To me, they will be the most likely candidates...

[Forkie]

Hi John
No E10 has been through the fuel lines at all !!! Made sure i have had a ready supply of E5 since the change,but down here it can be a bit hit and miss with availability, so now it is 'back on the road' so to speak i have invested in a 20 liter jerry can which i will be filling up as i see it, pop it into the tank and then refill again etc hoping i wont be caught out as will always have at least a jerry can full
Regarding the carbs, it was yet another job that was on the initial 'to do' list, i.e. get them properly balanced but this never happened of course so i suspect they are still in the same state of tune since purchase. This IS now back on the list after a lengthy chat with my guy earlier today with the inevitable re-visit to him in the near future for the 'shake down' issues. He is just elated with the fact it just drives as well as it does, considering 14 years of lay up !! And yes, fuel filter at bulkhead just before pump is new, i think that's the second one too, just to be sure!!
So water pump to swap, carbs to tune, and to get to the bottom of this 'box issue are where we are at the minute, which we don't think is too bad considering. Not heard back from Harvey as yet.
Regards, Nige.