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I desperately need a condenser and maybe coil for a ---- wait for it ---- 1972 Austin 1300

Any ideas where I will get that local and quick? I have a potential buyer for the car coming soon and - **** - when I came to start it today
a. It was a bit of a pig to start (unusual)
b. Ran for a bit but when I tried to drive it then after half a mile lots of "missing" then strong backfires ---- and the engine died on me.

Left it parked while I walked to get tools. Cleaned the plugs (incredibly sooty) and behold, it started. Ran it for 300 yards and again backfires then engine cuts.

Had it pushed the last 100 yards home

Checked the spark at the plugs - weak, VERY weak so suspect condenser (well known to fail on BL A series engine) or coil.

I know I can get theme easy off Ebay etc but TIME is the issue as I want to get the car fixed and running asap

Thanks folks

Snod

95% sure it is the condenser/ capacitor

If I move the car so the distributor points are closed
Switch on ignition
push open the points with an insulated screw driver

Big fat spark between the points
Points also look worn/ pitted

Reasonable to expect some spark but not a fat one as seen
Fortunately (I'm an old hoarder) I have a brand new set of points in a sealed bubble pack. The pack will be 20-30 years old but so what.

What I do not have is a condenser/ capacitor

Where can I get one? You can forget Hafrauds and the like for an item as old as this even though the standard Lucas distributor was very common.

Snod

give me a call - 07973402021

Got aload of mini ones here, should be the same, inbox me

If Mini one's fit i might have some,
me being a old hoarder too ;-)

Thanks folks
I will go to see Chris Gilly early on tomorrow. If I need more then I will contact you other kind folk

regards Snod

I picked up a condenser from LVW (in stock !!) fitted it and the car started and ran well. Drove it up and down Leasowe Rd a few times - ran perfect - then stopped the engine while I opened the Allygates to the lock up. Then the ***** would not restart until I "wound the key quite a lot".

Something else is not quite right but I am not sure what it is. I have a suspicion that it may be fuel supply. A few months ago I cleaned out the float pot on the carb and back blew the in-line filter that has been fitted close to the carb. May re-do the filter again.

I say that because while the engine is running the clear plastic case of this filter never FILLS. It just seems to have a dribble of fuel coming through. Maybe me just imagining things.

I PRESUME the fuel pump on the 1300 is mechanical ?? as were the pumps on all post 1969 Minis. WHERE it is I have no idea - back of the engine I guess. I have never looked on this car. I also guess it has a filter in the pump and that cleaning this would be a good idea. *** that. The next owner can do it. I think I will just disconnect the pipe from the in-line filter that has been fitted up by the carb and then crank the engine to check there is reasonable fuel flow into a container. I will clean that filter (or replace) anyway.

Any advice from the learned is appreciated

Snod

pump is rear of the block, assuming it's not got an electric one. not filter in the pump, if it is pump related could be split diaphragm, open the oil filler and see if you can smell fuel.

Ah, same as on Mini (understandable I suppose).

I would rather leave the actual pump alone considering I hope/ plan to sell the car on Saturday. Tomorrow I will clean the in-line filter then do the crank it test to see of there is reasonable fuel flow into a bottle. There cannot be much wrong with the pump given the car drove faultless up/ down Leasowe Rd 4 times. However, the prospective buyer has to drive to Bath. Rather him than me!

Snod

there's not much it can be and bits are cheap enough. could be worth pulling the lid on the float bowl when it dies and seeing how much fuel is in there, could be sticking needle valve.

be a shame to see this go, the wife's granddad used to keep his mini in one of the garages opposite.

Fuel flow from the pump was checked and is FINE. I fitted a new in-line filter anyway. The car started perfect this morning and I ran it to New Brighton and back. Some hesitation and maybe slight misfire towards the end of the run.

Switched off while I replaced a duff trafficator bulb - then the **** would not restart.

Very weak spark. I will pick up a new coil this afternoon from LVW. I suspect the 42 year old coil deteriorates when it gets warm. Not expensive and an easy-peasy job to change it. New coil can't do any harm anyway.

Fingers crossed

Snod

The saga goes on - and on

Fitted a new coil. Easy job.
Engine ran sweet so went for a drive around N Brighton again and then at the Leasowe/ Greenleas traffic lights on the way back it stalled AND WOULD NOT RESTART.

Left it for 20 mins (in case a vapour lock) still would not start.

Pushed it to Village Motors, gave them the story of what I have done and the hot start problem - and said FIX IT

Not like me to be a quitter but time is important

Snod

The joys of the old points ignition,If it where me,I would of popped off the air filter and squirt a little fuel down the vent and see if it will start then if not feel the Coil if theres a short then it will get very hot bare in mind they do get warm after long runs,those points have a habit of closing after fitting&setting, don`t ask me how lol. good luck with it anyway if you don't have any luck at the garage I wouldn't mind having a fettle with it just for old time sake.

What beats me is that when it does start and run it runs sweet as a nut. THAT says the points are OK. If they were "off" it just would not run al all.

Fuel - that was an initial thought and as a check I took the pipe off the carb and connected the feed to a bottle, and then cranked the engine. Ample fuel was being pumped so the is nowt wrong with the pump diaphagm.

Yes, I suppose that when the *** does not start it could be a good idea to direct feed a bit of fuel into the carb. However, when it stopped then would not start tonight I did not have any tools etc in the car. Similarly, it would have been a good idea to take out a plug and check for spark. SHOULD spark ok because it is a brand new coil - but of course that presumes the coil is getting volts input. Again, no tools with me.

Ah well, it will get sorted. I just want it running well enough that on Saturday the buyer can get it safely back to Bristol area. This old car has never been driven that far in all it's 42 years !! I'll keep folk posted on progress.

Snod

Good old Sod's Law eh ? It'll be something daft I'm sure. At least there's no electronic crap to confuse matters. All very straight forward stuff. Mmmmm ?? Fingers crossed for you !!!