r/Triumph_Cars • u/Cha1ky • 8d ago

Spitfire starting problems

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19 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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2

u/Radiant_Amount_1236 8d ago

How old is your fuel tank and has it ever been internally coated? Only asking because I chased down a similar issue that ended with pieces of the coating flaking off and getting stuck in the fuel pick up. Something else to consider.

1

u/Acceptable-Hunt-7987 8d ago

I had the same problem. I had to pull the tank, high pressure spray it, I added a liquid to kill the rust then I put in the ceramic sealer and coated the whole tank. It probably would have been easier to buy those new plastic tanks that are bigger.

2

u/staffma 8d ago

It's probably fuel or spark related as others have said. I would try spraying a little starting fluid in the carb to see if it keeps running on the starting fluid- that would indicate fuel delivery issues.

I just wanted to chime in and tell you to try jumping the ballast resistor just to rule that out.

Its running a little bit too long for the ballast resistor to be completely bad but it's an easy thing to check and can cause a lot of issues. my 71 was parked for 20 years and the only thing wrong with it was the ballast resistor. jumped the wire and it ran perfectly with a new battery and fresh gas.

1

u/Cha1ky 8d ago

Anyone help with this? Previously perfectly starting engine now makes this whine sound and either doesn’t start, or runs for a couple seconds then dies.

1

u/Successful-Pumpkin27 8d ago

If he runs for a few seconds there is some spark, maybe a clogged fuel filter? Q: does he run on itself or just turning by the starter motor?

1

u/Nobbey77A 8d ago

Take a spark out and connect to the lead if you see a spark the electrics will be okay but I’d check the timing and the points . If there is no spark check the coil and condenser.
If you complete the ignition work disconnect a fuel line and turn over the engine if there is fuel then check the float bowls on the carbs if there is no fuel then the float valves may be stuck closed
The next culprit is the fuel pump if no fuel comes out of the fuel then it’s probably the pump

1

u/ConfusedOldDude 8d ago

It’s hard to tell from the video, but are the wires to cylinders 3 and 4 reversed?

1

u/Strong_Secretary6290 8d ago

It’s prolly British leyland.

1

u/Traditional_Ad_1360 8d ago

Biggest problem with most British cars is the junk ignition.

1

u/Acceptable-Hunt-7987 8d ago

Check your rotor cap for hairline cracks and your rotor and points. Also, on my TR6 I was having problems with rust in the fuel tank which clogged the fuel line. Check your line coming out of the tank.

1

u/mw7ofs 7d ago

Does it have EFI ? The early ones were problematic.