[Cut008]

Right...

1990 SWB Vit, Carby, 8v.

This is what happens.

Sometimes it fires first go and runs fine (not so often).
Sometimes is turns over, fires, coughs, dies.
Sometimes it turns over a few times, starts rough for a couple of seconds then runs fine.
Sometimes I can spend 5-10 mins turning it over, starts rough for a couple of seconds then runs fine.
Sometimes doesn't start and I ride the treadly to work...

If/when I do get ignition it runs smoothly and doesn't lack power or missfire.

It always turns over.
Has new plugs.
Distributer looks fine.
Has a new fuel filter (there was a little bit of water in the old one).
Has a fair bit of condensation coming out the exhaust. More so than I'd expect.

Recent changes pre issue.
Had pwr steering installed + steering column.
Ran the fuel tank dry for the first time ever.

[royce]

when its not starting does it have spark?

using coolant? rip your plugs out and see if they are a uniform colour

[Cut008]

No, when it's not starting it doesn't having spark. It just turns over.

[Cut008]

Oh and yes, using coolant.

[royce]

doesnt have spark as in you pulled a lead off and checked?

[Cut008]

Ah, more as in doesn't sound like it has spark.

I'll go check when it stops pissing down outside.

[Cut008]

Well, just went to check the plugs, thought I'd try start the car first.

Appears that the motor has seized.

Erm, anyone got a suggestion where on the west side of melbourne (footscray) I should take it?

Basically made a shit noise for a second then stopped. If I try to crank it over it sounds like the starter is trying to do it's thing but nothing moves.

[royce]

rip your plugs out and try again, I bet at least one cylinder shoots a nice fountain of water

[Cut008]

Soooo....I pulled the plugs, got the missus to turn it over and it did shoot some water out, then some fuel...


...then the engine bay caught fire... Minor damage though, just a couple of melted wires running to the headlight on that side.

Remind me next time to move those leads further away

It's now running on 3cyl and a shitload of oil is leaking out between the engine and the gearbox. The oil isn't very viscous so I'm assuming it's from the gearbox?

[royce]

Probably the dizzy seal

sorry to say it but I reckon at best, you need a new head, at worst your engine is buggered

[Cut008]

Yeah, it's booked in @ http://www.engineaction.com/index.htm on monday. I don't know what they're like but at least they were happy to come pick it up from me and I don't have to mess about getting it to them.

At least I'll have a nice reconditioned engine at the end of it now. That's some kind of brightness at the end of this horribly dark tunnel.

Anything I should be upgrading on the engine while it's out?