CAR TECHNICAL INFO

I had noticed the fuel consumption was rather high and at first I thought it was me calculating it wrong but it wasn't. I found a fuel leak which was only present when the engine was running or just after I filled the tank as that was the only time the level was high enough for gravity to let petrol dribble from the banjo connection to the front carb. It was easily fixed by tightening the bolt which must have vibrated loose.
Although pleased to find the fault I was feeling miserable at having lost about 30% from the last two tank fulls so after I came back to my room I checked the two lottery tickets I had bought before leaving home and both had won. One gave me an entry to the next draw and the other won £77 which more than covers the lost petrol!
I met a very helpful chap called Paul Ireland who convinced me we should spend a little time checking the carburation as it was rich and the ignition timing. I was reluctant as the car was running well. We weakened the mixture two flats on both carbs and slightly advanced the timing using his bulb on a wire to tell us when the points are opening. It has improved things and should also contribute to better fuel consumption and cooler running. He was right as today's run showed to temperature was running about 6 degrees cooler today.
Paul has a PhD in experimental nuclear physics which might explain the strange glow coming from under the bonnet of his TC.Read more