I`m currently running an old 1975 datsun (yeah you heard correctly....sorry) 1500cc engine in my `T` until the V860 is ready to go in it......I`m having a problem keeping it going..........If I drive it for a while, lets say 30 minutes , and I accelerate it backfires, splutters and finally comes to halt.......If I leave it for a couple of minutes , it`ll fire back up and normally hang on until i get it home (sometimes takes a couple of attempts)....I first put it down to fuel starvation, If I pull a pipe from the fuel pump(mechanical) and cranked it over, replaced the pipe it usually cured it....someone put me onto tank venting, which after looking and not finding a visible vent, I drilled a pinprick sizes hole through the cap....up until yesterday , due to my back injury, I hadn`t had much of a chance to take it out for a spin, so out I went and after about 20 mins, accelerate, backfire, splutter, stop........you can crucify me for my choice of motor if you want but any advice/ideas would be good too monkey
great looking car. Does that motor have points, condenser? I had a similar problem from a condenser that would work fine until it heated up, then it would start missing and sputtering. It sounds like it is related to the motor gettitng hot(not too hot just operating temp) I have heard of coils failing when they get hot as well. Or could you have vapor lock? does your fuel line pass by anything that could heat it up? wish I could be more help, but those are some of problems I have dealt with good luck
Sounds like a possible vapor lock issue, tank venting, or an ignition system that gets too hot and dies out for a bit. Could also be your fuel pump (assuming it's mechanical)...seen some that would putz out when they got hot, and pump again when they cooled off (or had water poured on 'em!). Get that little glitch sorted out, and you'll never WANT to pull that motor!!!
Thanks for the pointers guys.....thinking about it the pipe from pump to the weber does pass over the top of the engine...I`ll check it out and re-route it....the coils new and so are the points....I might replace the distributor cap while I`m at it, just in caes its cracked Monkey
If it was the condensor it would cough and bang from start up every time. Sounds more like coils getting hot. Try carrying a spare coil and connecting it up when you get the problem (or just pour a cold can of cola over the coil). If it starts and runs you know what the problem is and just need to relocate the coil in an air flow. NB a Boyer Bransen transistor ignition is the solution to all condensor & points related problems and costs only £20.
Dude, your car rocks, never apologize for using a Datsun engine, they're beautiful, reliable and bulletproof. I dunno about vapor lock, it never gets above 45 degrees farenheit in England. I just put a Pertronix in my 4 banger Capri, works like a dream.
It does tend to cough and splutter from start up, but then runs kinda Ok for a while, until the dreaded 25 - 30 minute mark when it starts playing up....sometimes it will continue running but I cant get it rev....does that make sense?....I checked the fuel pipe and it is quite a way from any heat and the coil is right at the top of the firewall....I`ve been running it hoodless just lately so I would think the coil is getting plenty of cooling Monkey
Coil or condenser, my guesses. I would say vapor lock but it never really gets hot there, and unless your engine is overheating, it's not likely. Just make sure the fuel lines away from anything hot. Sweet car, I think it's just as cool with the Datsun engine as a V8-60.
Great little car - I love it! As to your problem-First exhaust the possibilities stated above-and if it still isn't running right ya might consider this..... I have owned a few of the Datsun pickups in early to mid '70 vintage. I had this situation with mine that seemed kinda quirky but they all did it.....they all had solid lifters and required semi frequent adjusting to maintain the best performance... The deal that seemed strange to me was ,the valvetrain would, upon driving several thousand miles ,actually TIGHTEN up and run very lame till re adjusted -loosening the tappets a tad so the valves closed properly...seemed to MAINLY show up on a totally warmed up engine [but would run OK when cold]....just a possibility- good luck!!
thanks again guys for all the suggestions....I`ll start with a new condensor, which no doubt I wont be able to get straight off the shelf where I live, and work my way through all the suggestions til i get it running sound...I`ll keep you posted as I do it Cheers Monkey
Hi Monkey. Condensers are all much the same. Try any new one you can find, it might be an indicator. If you run a coil that is supposed to have a ballast without one, it will gradually overheat and fail. I tend to swap components from a known running car until I find the culprit. Mart.
Get on to your local parts factor and buy a 12v coil and do away with that ballast resistor garbage, they're ugly anyway!
Without adding to much to the string of options already stated consider this; 1. New parts don't always work, try using a known running/work part(as Mart indicated). 2. Possibly crap or water within the fuel system? Have you been storing fuel in dodgy containers or sourced your fuel from a new/dodgy source? Hope this helps, Koops.....
Ok....changed the condensor, the place I got it from had original 70`s parts for datsuns still on the shelf...problem is it still coughed, spluttered and fucking died on me as usual, only it happened in about 5 minutes instead of the usual 25 minutes....that eliminated the condensor.......by now i was totally fucked off...so i thought bollocks admit defeat and call the AA (automobile Association)...been a member for years and only ever called them out once....you have to ring a switchboard, explain the problem and they send the nearest mechanic out asap....try explaining to some call centre person what the car is....nightmare The AA guy arrived....first thing he said ...condensor...next he took off the distributor cap to look at the points, checked `em...Ok...then he noticed a problem.....the wire that powers the points, firstly was upside down, which as he explained was putting constant power to the base of the points, but more important the wire looked like it had been trapped under the distributor cap at some time causing damage to it....the end that connects to the points was also pretty frayed ( why didnt I see that, I`ve had that cap off a million times).... took it for a spin and it felt Ok for a while `til I gunned it and again there was lag and a splutter......he told me to change the wire and see if it made a difference, which I will do.... after he left the wife came into the garage and i told what he said and flipped off the distributor cap to show what he meant....showed her the freyed wire and put the cap back on....started it up and it wouldn`t fire, flooded it infact......pulled the cap off and waggled the wire, cap back on and it fired up Question: is this the cause of the motor spluttering, backfiring and eventually giving up ...or pure coincidence Monkey Ps ...he said if replacing the wire doesn`t work I might wanna check the mixture in the carb
I appreciate that thanks very much....I know obviously that the wire shouldn`t be like that, but if it is the problem, why does it take the time that it does to start playing up? I hate electrics Cheers Monkey
This might sound to easy but did you check the fuel filter?I've seen them be clogged and starve the engine when you floor it but run fine when theres not a big load on it.
have you checked your plugs when this problem is happening.wet or fouled would surely point to an ignition problem.if thay look lean, check fuel pump to see if it puts out enough volume, hac has a good point about hot pumps.personaly i would go with an ignition problem. make sure the coil has the proper voltage.Remember,the best time to trouble shoot these type of problems is as thay are happening. One more thing ,before i forget,check for exhaust restrictions.I once caused a problem like this in an enamy's car with a shit load of steel wool in the tail pipe, but enough of my self incrimenation............
Early Datsuns were notorious for vapor lock, I've got a 240z that's getting an injection of american power...
again I`d like to thank everyone for the advice given over my shitty problem...I`ve printed this post out so far for things to try... Koops..the AA guy said about old fuel in the tank, but I`d recently syphoned the tank to take cars of a leak, so it had new fuel in it Daddyo...I`ve done the fuel filter when I sorted out the leak in the tank slayer.... the plugs are Ok .....The only way I had to check the pump was visual....I pulled pipe off and it was chucking it out ....not technical i know , but the AA guy checked it the same way and said it was fine at the moment this all academic as my back gave out big time last nite and believe me the last thing I need to do now is lean over my car I`ll keep you updated Cheers Monkey
Take it easy Monkey. The fun time approches fast an' you don't wanna be flat on yer back. Yer wanna be flat-out. Get well soon. Koops.....
Monkey, You've certainly been busy since you picked up that old Moggy seat from me. Sorry to hear you've done your back in again if you ever need someone to throw the odd spanner or general help let me know I'd be only to glad to help. It might give me some enthusiasm to get on with my projects. Matt
Matt...how you doin.....I take it your off to Le Mans......I swapped the moggy seat for a couple of A sedan seats but found I sat too high and with the problems with my back it was too uncomfortable, so the moggy bench seat is in it again along with the back sporting a nice coat of black vinylkote and maybe a mexican blanket monkey
My son had trouble with his Datsun. The bearing in the dist. was bad and let the points not open corectly. Check for any side play in the dist shaft.
Yep we're leaving at 2.00AM on Wednesday. But unfortunately it won't be to the rumble of a V8 as I have failed to get it running properly. Everytime I fixed one thing another problem arose. I've replaced the whole ignition system and now there seems to be a fuel pressure problem and I can't get hold of the parts in time now so I'm having to replace the clutch on the Escort and use that instead. It's a shame that you couldn't get on with the A seat as it did look nice in there but it's nice to know that a part of the Moggy still lives on.
Yikes a Hamber in Biggleswade whatever next? My brother in law lives there I'll PM you next time we visit.
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