Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Xflow timing

Arwyn, many thanks for taking the time to correct my mistaken engine identity.. I am at a bad age and worth the watching..(-: Would hate to be thought of as spreading fake news.. Yup well remember those blocks on carbs and pumps, another very good watch point..

Couple of more 'left field' thoughts:

When I first had my crossflow, I had big issues with idle jets blocking and (clearing themselves) which meant it would refuse to idle unless I had the choke out. It went back to Allon White but they couldn't fix it. In the end I fitted an uprated fuel filter, and carry a can of spray carb cleaner under the seat. It tends only to block about every 4 months or so now (rather than weekly) and a quick squirt sorts her out, I do about 8000 a year and have had her about 16mths.

Another thing might be the connection to the coil. I'm assuming it has a ballast resistor (if not, ignore this bit). As it would start and then immediately stop suggests that it was getting 12V from the starter solenoid feed, but losing power as soon as the starter is disengaged. Ballasts tend to run or not, but there my be something in the feed that is packing up when warm, then reconnecting when cool. The feed for the Ballast come from the back of the rev counter. It might be a dodgy connection there, or something up with the rev counter? I discovered this feed when I fitted my clock, and dislodged the wire out of the back of the rev counter!

Arwyn, thanks for the pointers regarding wht to look out for. Also thanks TBM. I did disturb connections around the ballast resistor when I took the distributor out. Something to check over.

Is there a published wiring diagram for a '74 4/4. I have the original manual but the page with the wiring diagram on it had stuck to the previous one and is somewhat corrupted.

Just been poking around the ignition system. The ballast resistor looks a little suspect (showed open circuit on a meter until I waggled the terminals!). The coil seems ok but will probably replace the whole lot when I order up the ignition module from SimonBBC.

The old saying “Let sleeping dogs lie “ comes to mind! You drove the car back from Williams without missing a beat !

Converting to a decent electronic ignition system is one of the best thing you can do for a X flow, in my view.

I fitted a Lumenition years ago and have had no issues with it.

Ignition prices are ridiculously cheap on these cars, it is worth replacing plug leads and caps if they look slightly tired.

Once the carb is set and in a good condition, you are only left with the occasional oil change to worry about.

But I like to tinker!!!

Quite right too! It's a good way to get double the fun out of Morgan ownership, as you get to enjoy both driving it and furtling with it.

100% agree