Remember that spark plug

[foggy]

Today was the day I was determined to get that spark plug out (remember the one that I could'nt get out months ago). Using a T bar that was suggested, a quarter turn at a time, it finally came out.No damage to the head thread. I think it has been in there so long it was taking root!

['The Gaffer']

What was the plug and colour like?

It'l run like a dream with new ones in

[Hairy Santa]

Hi Foggy,

Clean the thread up by cutting 2 groves in the old plug at 45% to the thread with a hacksaw, put a bit of grease on to it and ease it back in to the plug hole

['Mendip Wurzel']

Hi Foggy,

Clean the thread up by cutting 2 groves in the old plug at 45% to the thread with a hacksaw, put a bit of grease on to it and ease it back in to the plug hole

Thats a neat idea Pete, I will remember that one.

[foggy]

Thanks for that tip, done what you suggested, the new one went back in lovely. As for the condition of the one thaht I took out, knackered,shot,useless,rusty....  surprised it actually produced a spark.  Reading the articles on Zetec engines, I would love to put one in there, but I don'y have the know how and my old Pinto starts on the third time, it always have since I bought it, I know that its running rich but there can't be that much wrong with it.

[paintman]

My Pinto started first turn of the key all through the summer but not now!!

It doesn't like the cold weather and the use of the manual choke, bit of gamble when I turn the key.....first turn or 8th turn

Mind you it's better than the original automatic choke.    If it didn't fire first time it would flood resulting in me taking out all the plugs to dry it out ..... then try again.   Didn't have that fitted very long......

  Tony

[YellaBelly]

Tony,

My Pinto has got 2 sets of carbs with it, not sure exactly but I think they are both of the sort used in the standard cars, one is Weber Twin (I think they are probably the low-end  -  maybe 32/36 or something?).

Is it easy to convert them to manual choke, as you seem to have benefited from doing it on yours?

I'm not sure which carb to use yet but I am pretty sure they are auto-choke (can't check at the mo as I'm in Pakistan - again!!).

I have a set of ZX9R carbs I will eventually fit when I get the thing running and through the IVA, but for now I'll settle for the cheap/quick option.

John

[paintman]

I got a Weber DGAV twin choke as fitted standard to 2.0 Sierra up to '85.   The later twin choke was similar but not so good they say.

Dead easy to convert once you track down a conversion kit....found mine in a little corner car factors shop......it had been nailed to a beam for 20 odd years with a £36 pound label on it.     I haggled and got it for £25.

The original choke works of the water heated manifold ...... choke stays on till water gets hot in manifold, crap idea.....choke is on for ages usually causing flooding.

The other auto choke is electrical....that ain't great either i'm told.

Your probably get one on ebay but make sure its the right one.....there was loads of kits made for different Weber carbs.

  Tony

[YellaBelly]

Thanks Tony. Time to start looking when I get home methinks

[foggy]

Just been reading about your automatic/manual chokes. On mine which is fitted with 40 webbers, all I have is one cable which is the accelorator cable,no manual choke, I take it there is a automatic choke fitted in the webbers?

[paintman]

Got to be I would have thought.      I had some on a 1600 MG Maestro (don't laugh)....that was auto choke i'm sure.    I know it was a ba**ard to start when hot.... think the choke was on all the time or the petrol evaporated in the pipe 'cause it was positioned right over the exhaust manifold.....good old British Leyland.

[Grin-a-lot]

I've got 40 Webbers on mine and although its fitted with a manual choke i've been advised never to use it.  In fact, it was stuck on which is why I was gettting 15mpg until recently!  When I replace my dashboard it will be removed entirely.

[Quarrycars]

If I remember right the DCOE's don't strictly have a choke but a cold starting device consisting of it's own air and fuel jets and emulsion tube operated by a lever on the top of the carbs.  If set up correctly you use only the choke to start and not touch the throttle.  If not used it is a good idea to clamp a thin rod through the levers to prevent them operating accidentally.

[paintman]

Lots of info. there for you John

[bernih]

Today was the day I was determined to get that spark plug out (remember the one that I could'nt get out months ago). Using a T bar that was suggested, a quarter turn at a time, it finally came out.No damage to the head thread. I think it has been in there so long it was taking root!

glad you got it out OK.  hopefully you didn't put the new one in with the T-bar

Bernie