Two Years Of Woe..... :=( (Read 126 times)

[gainsb1]

So,about two years ago the SSS 160J A10 started spluttering requiring feathering of the throttle to keep it going. Despite twiddling the mixture screw and the idle screw it was to no avail. My local garage (all old mechanic boys) tried to help but couldn't solve it.
Going on line I found a mobile mechanic who professed he could solve any issue with any car and had some (alleged)good reviews.
He came and went and totally FUBARed the car by undoing all the non-tamper settings on the carbs and then bogged off with my money!
Over the next months the car sat until I took the car down to Will Datman who diagnosed the issue within minutes as a faulty coil and then stuck a second hand one on to solve it. However, the carbs were now running wrong and the only answer was to replace them.
Months later I got together with Andrew Dialup2001 who swapped my carbs and manifold with some off his breaker.Some months later I found a local sonic cleaning company to clean the carbs.Some months later I fitted them. They went on a dream.... (and no need for adjustment) The car went like a rocket! Result! BUT NO. A few days later the car started spluttering again just before a driving week in France with some other classic friends. I soldiered on and the Datsun (in true Jap style) spluttered throughout the week racking up several hundred miles. It was not enjoyable and the car usually conked out at road junctions, but not always. Points and condensor changed to no avail.
Some months later a friend of mine who knows classics poked his head under the bonnet when the car was doing the usual spluttering and for some reason that he can't explain removed the cap to the dashpot resulting in the spluttering stopping and the car running SMOOTH as silk on idle.
Long story short, the carb piston was getting randomly stuck in the up position resulting in the poor MOT emmissions and the spluttering of the past.
With non-Jap SU carbs this is overcome by loosening the dashpot body screws and twisting the body slightly until the piston plops down correctly. Not quite so easy with the Hitachi carbs as they have plastic locating lugs but we shaved them off, twiddled the body and HEY PRESTO! Carbs working correctly, car now driving smoothly and got a right good thrashing down the A12 to clear the s--t out of the engine/exhaust.
It is now a dream to drive again. Treated it to a car-wash and I'm now going to drive it as much as I can before the bad weather sets in. Might even take in a Car show, too.
I'm glad that, after two years,I can now get this off my chest. Thanks for listening to me.

Leigh (Area rep)