Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Engine running rough

Ladies and gents, I have a issue which is slowly driving me mad.
A couple of weeks ago I pulled the covers off and got my 1967 Morgan out for a drive, first one in a few weeks due to it being quite hot weather.
She ran beautifully.
Back home my four kids wanted to wash her and did a great job, since then she runs so rough and bad that she will not drive.

So, first off incheck the (what I thought) the obvious.
But over the last week I cannot get her running sweet.
I have to date, now checked the su carbs, spark plugs, dis, cap, etc
I can not get her running well enough to drive and it is starting to niggle at me, as the weather is now great, kids are off of school so I should be out in her every day.
Engine is a TR 4

I'm obviously missing something small and silly I hope, but what.
I get her started but she is as I say rough.



Any comments are welcome.

It sounds too much of a coincidence that it started the rough running after it was washed. You've probably done it but I'd go through everything likely to have been affected by the wash first. Is the inside of the distributor clean and dry? No tracking or moisture? Coil tower , leads etc, is it running on all 4? If not it ought to be fairly easy to trace a fault on the cyl that isn't. After that I'd go for fuel, any water in bowls or filter? If none of this then I doubt it's been the washing and go through the rest. Good luck

I had something similar on my 4/4 it turned out to be the coil, I still do not understand it but the car had been running fine but after a wash it was really running rough, I had had that before and once everything drys out all is well, but not his time. Like you I set about checking everything, fuel, timing, spark, plug leads. Eventually I changed the coil for a new one I had and it instantly ran fine, presumably the old one was not producing a big enough spark.

Yep it is way to much of a coincidence but I had hoped a week in the warm air and also I air condition the garage due to heat and humidity but I will look at the coil, of course it is Sunday and here on my wee island all is closed, but tomorrow I'll be at it.
I do not suppose there is a way to test a coil!!

Thanks

My '63 +4-4Str also has a TR4 engine. I wash it at the Car Wash regularly. No Problems for Me. But I have had a rash of coil problems. Last time was in Southampton, UK when +4 just stopped. Flat Bedded to a local mechanic who changed the coil to a Lucas coil. I think I had a Bosch Blue. OK since then. But I do carry a spare coil. I also replaced a Pertronix Electronic gizwiz with a new Lucas Dizzy with Points. Of course I also have a spare set of points, rotor and cap. As I was into the ignition anyway I made up MSD ignition wires. I also have quit using those cheap insulated connectors and crimper and now us un insulated connectors and a much better (more expensive) crimper. (same system used by Kit Airplane builders).

As a general rule it will not be the SU Carbs that are faulty, but will be the ignition.

I have known water to infiltrate a distributor cap. Once in there, unless you dry the inside of the distributor it sits in the bottom and is stirred up when the engine turns. If you are leaving the car to dry out, worth removing the distributor cap.

You could always "borrow" a hairdryer when is not looking - but be careful as some run very hot and you could damage insulation on wiring.

Is there a condenser in the distributor? If that's gone it makes the engine run really roughly.

Yep all good points
I will go into it and advise back on this to let you all know

Thanks again for the good points.

A couple of small points for you after you have tried most of the above:

1 Check that there is a breather in the fuel filler cap , it is just possible that the wash has clogged it with dirt (not likely I know , but i have known it happen)

2 You mention that the car had lain idle for a while. When this in the case it possible that the gasoline goes "off" . Again it is unlikely but IF all else has failed that try draining down the tank and refilling with fresh.

A couple of other questions:

Are you using the standard mechanical fuel pump? Or has it been converted to electric at some point. If the former try emptying out the fuel filter bowl and then seeing how quickly it refills. If the latter are you sure that the pump is delivering fuel to the carbs , try disconnecting the fuel line at the carbs to test a good delivery.

Secondly is the ignition system standard, to has water got into an electronic module which may be mounted on the inside valence near the front.

Are you sure that the distributor is in exactly the same spot and not been accidentally knocked.

Good luck

Andy thanks
Ok yes I know of the fuel breather, found the hard way a couple of years back.

I run with normal fuel pump, but have a back up electric in place, fuel flow though is good as I checked this at the carbs.
Yes distributor is/was ok but I will check again once I replace the coil.

Yes but she only stood still for three weeks so fuel is ok

Will let you all know, again thanks for all the comments.