Hi, I am restoring a 1986 Space cruiser 2ltr, the van started for the first time in many years shortly after i bought it, its ok but when I excellerate the engine stutters. When cold it also hunts badly until its warmed up. the only thing wrong with it I know of is that the water pump and fan and alternator belt is not fitted, would this effect the running?
Cheers,
Jon
- (#840) Jono Barspeed, 19 Apr 05 17:16
Jono,
So many things can cause poor running. Plugs, leads, timing, dizzy cap, rotor, carb, choke, fuel and fuel filter.
Is it old fuel?
Once you get the belt on get it tuned it will save you hunting for the prolem(s)
- (#840) Clive (Bristol), 20 Apr 05 02:20
Thanks, I have checked the plugs, new fuel, no evidence of electrical type missing, just a stutter on the up...
I wondered if it could be a leaky manifold gasket, are these prone?
Jon
- (#840) Jono Barspeed, 20 Apr 05 12:28
jono...
once you get you belt fitted you alternator will control the engine peformance.
.
- (#840) Rik, 20 Apr 05 13:13
I had the same symtoms when one of my exhaust valves was sticking.
my space cruiser was rescued from a scrap yard and I have never had a problem with exhaust gasget
I agree with clive about the tune up it will also get the emiissions right for mot
- (#840) jon, 20 Apr 05 13:14
Yeah i thought that fitting the belt might improve things, got one waiting for me to fit it.
It looks like from following pipes that the system relies on vacuum control via the carb, difficult to guess without a manual, but I think this is the best course of action then a retune, the hose from the air filter was cracked, thats now been repaired with plenty of duct tape.
- (#840) Jono Barspeed, 22 Apr 05 10:09
I only say as it happened to me....
The split on the air hose opened or sucked enough to pull in a bit of the under bonnet felt. This passed the first butterfly and got stuck on the lower one. In my case this left me with very high tickover and no way to stop other than stalling the thing.
I just say as all things are possible....
- (#840) Clive (Bristol), 22 Apr 05 11:49
Thanks for the help, work is slow on the van at the moment, I have had to do a lot of welding on it so far, including completely rebuilding the drivers side inner and outer sills, ended up using standard sheet and angle section and two sills for a MG midget!
Its looking crude, but wont rust again for an age, coats of hammerite first then semi structural sealant, then I will be filling it properly and painting it.
The other sie isnt much better, but at least it doesnt have a full sill, the door step is fine, just the front wheel arch sill is holed, as is the rear wheel arch sill. The other bad bit is the rear passenger wing is mullered, old accident damage and lots of filler hid a huge hole above the wheel arch, so lots of cutting and letting in new metal. This bit will take the most filling to make it look good enough for painting, but at least the new metal should hold back blistering fr several years.
I will be respraying the van, its silver now, i will be keeping the bottom 3rd silver, cant be bothered to take off the bumpers, but the middle 3rd will be a lovely red. The top will be silver again, I want the look of the current Mitsubishi 4x4's, will look good with a nice graphic of somesort, maybe a Kiwi emblem or something. Anyway, enough waffle, maybe posting progress pictures on the net sometime.
Thanks for reading, Jon
- (#840) Jon, 28 Apr 05 03:51