Ladies & Gents,

I think I've sorted the water manifold problem, and after cleaning the points, gapping the plugs and setting the timing, got the rebuilt engine started fairly easily on the handle using a little choke and a bit of throttle (even on 2 year old petrol!) Marvellous!. The initial burst of smoke (I was liberal with oil during assembly) gassed me out, and after 2 minuits or so I let go of the throttle and the engine conked out. Now the sod won't start, it'll fire, but only with no choke, and will not run on, even with my mate cranking and me manipulating the choke and throttle. .
Another problem (may be linked?) was that after fitting the starter, when I touched the starter button, the ignition light went out and bugger all happened. A quick check showd my poor old battery seems to be kaput, despite being on charge a couple of days.

Anyway, got fed up and walked away, and will order a new battery tommorrow.

Other than the possibility of low battery output and a likely crap spark, does it sound I have any other obvious problems?

Don't be too downhearted yet. My last trials engine started first time then, after I'd turned it off refused every effort to get it to go again. After the best part of a day's trying, I got someone to tow me off with a modern. It started the first time it turned over and continued to do so, on the button, until I melted two pistons 4 years later!!

STEVE

Hedd

A good battery should make life easier.
Is everything still set correct after its short burst?
Nothing has moved or come loose?
I had some trouble after the second rebuild and needed to screw in the mixture screw fully and then back it off about 1 turn to get it to go.

Steve

I think so, I checked the points hadnt closed up, the dizzy is where it was.
Though I havn't checked if the carb jets are still clear.
I'm not dis hartend, I find if you walk away the next time you go to the job it all seems easier.

Hedd,
I would clean out the carb and invest in a gallon of fresh petrol before the next attempt.
Cheers, Dave.

Gallon of fresh petrol in the tank ready!. I'll check the carb. Off to order a new battery at 4