Mk 3 Interceptor 1974

[Grant]

You should see fuel in the front 2 Karan as you can, the back 2 only come in on Vacuum with higher revs

[KaranMK2]

Thanks for confirming Grant. Still stuck, I tried it with another coil that I have and still the same result. Tries to start, ignites one or twice but does not stay on - pulling my hair out and I have very little of it as you know!!
Karan

[Grant]

Thanks for confirming Grant. Still stuck, I tried it with another coil that I have and still the same result. Tries to start, ignites one or twice but does not stay on - pulling my hair out and I have very little of it as you know!!
Karan

Could be the orange box that maybe black Karan drivers side inner-wing behind the headlight, that area, it's a box with a plug in it, these are known to create that sort of issue, or the pick up unit in the dizzy?

[KaranMK2]

Hi Grant, it has a Mallory ignition box to go with the Mallory distributor. The PO took the car from the U.K (think Scotland) to Texas and I imported it back from the US - California to Buckinghamshire. From it’s file, the changes took place in the US. I have got a spare orange ignition unit but I am not at that stage yet in terms of a reversion. I will have a look under the distributor cap tomorrow. Thanks again.

[Grant]

Try pouring some fuel straight down into the front 2 carb inlets Karan while someone turns it over, if you can keep it running that way, then you would know if it is a carb issue or not, if you make up a couple of squeezy bottles of fuel with a hole in the top of each(one for each car throat) and just keep squeezing fuel in there whilst its running and it's all fine then you know you have a carb issue, if its been sitting around for ages then I bet that old Holley's playing up(not a lover of them Karan), now you mention you have that mallory ignition system then I somehow doubt that is the issue ..keep us posted batman

[KaranMK2]

Thanks Grant, will have a tinker with some carb cleaner. I have got a spare Carter carb that I might try later.
Karan

[slotcarone]

Karan here's a simple test you can do if you have a 12 volt test light. I am assuming you have one since no Jensen owner should ever be without one! Connect the light to a ground and find the terminal on the coil that lights up when you turn the ignition to the on position. Then keeping the light there try to start the car. The light should stay on. If it goes out when it the engine stops you know you have a coil feed problem which most likely will be the ignition switch. Ask me how I know this!

[KaranMK2]

Hi Slotcarone, did your suggested test and the light was present and remained so during the sequence from switching on to the ignition turn. What is throwing me is that I have fuel going in the carb as I prime it and there is a spark coming out the main centre coil lead ( yellowish) but I have no real ignition, it turns over and tries to start but no joy… puzziling right. Kr Karan

[Grant]

I believe it's a carb issue Karan, you may get fuel when you pump and prime, but not necessarily on the vaccum from the front 2 throats..throw some fuel in as I said and I bet it fires up

[johnw]

Hi Slotcarone, did your suggested test and the light was present and remained so during the sequence from switching on to the ignition turn. What is throwing me is that I have fuel going in the carb as I prime it and there is a spark coming out the main centre coil lead ( yellowish) but I have no real ignition, it turns over and tries to start but no joy… puzziling right. Kr Karan

The light should stay on the whole time, after releasing the key, it shouldn't flicker at all. If the light flickers you lose all spark. The Mallory controls spark timing by interrupting the connection to ground. I guess it is doing that but just checking.

I'm with Grant and think it is a carb issue. Stick the Carter you have on it, should be a quick yes/no answer. Those Holleys are a bit more complicated than the Carters. My Holley was fine then split a seal and fuel went and filled the valley which was scary!

[KaranMK2]

John, thanks for your email. At one point during my earlier attempts to start it I did have small flames coming out the back two throats of the carb which was a bit scary. I will see about fitting the carter carb on there to see if I get ignition at least.

[slotcarone]

Karan It sounds to me like the timing chain has jumped. Any history on the car from the previous owner? Has the chain ever been changed?

[Grant]

I will see about fitting the carter carb on there to see if I get ignition at least.

Before you go about trying to fit the Carter..just pour some fuel down the front 2 throats, turn the key and see if it runs Karan..much easier than trying to change the carb to see if that's the issue

[johnw]

John, thanks for your email. At one point during my earlier attempts to start it I did have small flames coming out the back two throats of the carb which was a bit scary. I will see about fitting the carter carb on there to see if I get ignition at least.

Karan It sounds to me like the timing chain has jumped. Any history on the car from the previous owner? Has the chain ever been changed?

I had the same, the flames which thankfully blow out if you are quick, bad starting. It was the timing chain, I don't think mine jumped it was just slack. It was a very worn chain that had been changed at some point as it had steel gears. I I retimed the ignition to compensate, but it was never right until I fitted the new chain, which was a piece of cake as the front of the engine all unbolts.

[KaranMK2]

Thanks for the reply. I have no idea how to go about looking to see if the timing chain is the cause..sounding more like specialist intervention..