1600 engine issues Help needed

[something wrong]

Posting this to help a friend out, if you could help or suggest a fix would be great.

This car’s getting the better of us.
Mk1 Escort 71 with Capri 1600GT Kent X-flow engine, stg1 cam, extractors, 40DCOE on 2-into-4 Lynx Manifold.
*
Starts fine but only runs on 2 cyls (1 + 3)!!!
No action on cyls 2 + 4, you can pull these leads off and nothing changes when running.
Pull off 1 or 3 = almost dies.
Plugs 2 + 4 = still completely clean (all are new yesterday), Plugs 1 + 3 = already light tan/dk-grey
*
Firing order is 1-2-4-3 (=std all Eskys)
Inlet manifold = 1/4 + 2/3 (ie 1 choke of DCOE => 1+4, other choke => 2+3)
*
Done all the following:
Compression check (140/160/140/140 – approx)
New plugs leads
Leads + plugs switched around
Points / dwell set @ 40deg
Timing set @ 8BTDC
Timing light put on each lead = good flash
Plugs 2 + 4 pulled and earthed = good spark
Carby disassembled, blown out, level set, idle set, etc. Tweaking idle on each choke =
Valve clearances set, top-end looks OK, nothing sticky
Dizzy checked (cap/rotor/no shaft wobble/ vac+mech advance OK)
*
Err, have we missed something?

[WOGBOY69]

hi mate

sounds like 2 things . could be the head not running right . or the rings are shoot.
when doing the comprestion test. do it with put a table spoon of oil doing were the plugs go in one by one and if you get the same readings. well you have a problem with your head .
if the readings go up higher well its your rings . i have had the same problem when i used to drive a 2.0 ltr gt alfa .. long time ago
then i saw the light and bought fords ..lol
please check them out first ..it mite save you stipping the motor down ....

[Jimmyd]

Check rotation of the distributor - from memory the Kent & Crosslow motor were anticlockwise. If you set up the leads for clockwise rotation you will get this sort of issue

[something wrong]

Will do both suggestions thanks guy's

[cosworthfreak]

If plugs 2 and 4 are completely clean, swap the leads for both at the distributor and see how you go.

[something wrong]

Ok so a little progress, the manifold wasnt sealing properly, so now it runs well for about 10 mins,

Now after driving for 10 mins it breaks down, it starts to stutter then dies, wait a few mins the it will start again and run for a while. I think sinces it is a work 1600 the standard mech fuel pump cannot keep up. Will be putting a pressure gauge on the fuel line and see what is happening.

Just before it dies it blows a little white smoke, it only happens for 30secs then stops and only just before it breaks down. Was thinking it might be sucking in so stuff from the oil overflow, or maybe from the brake booster, since it is all joined from the heather pipe to the manifold

[WOGBOY69]

No other leaks anywere else ..mite be drawing in air
cheers
sounds like you got your hands full bud....i would of given up

[atec77]

Originally Posted by something wrong

Posting this to help a friend out, if you could help or suggest a fix would be great.

This car’s getting the better of us.
Mk1 Escort 71 with Capri 1600GT Kent X-flow engine, stg1 cam, extractors, 40DCOE on 2-into-4 Lynx Manifold.
*
Starts fine but only runs on 2 cyls (1 + 3)!!!
No action on cyls 2 + 4, you can pull these leads off and nothing changes when running.
Pull off 1 or 3 = almost dies.
Plugs 2 + 4 = still completely clean (all are new yesterday), Plugs 1 + 3 = already light tan/dk-grey
*
Firing order is 1-2-4-3 (=std all Eskys)
Inlet manifold = 1/4 + 2/3 (ie 1 choke of DCOE => 1+4, other choke => 2+3)
*
Done all the following:
Compression check (140/160/140/140 – approx)
New plugs leads
Leads + plugs switched around
Points / dwell set @ 40deg
Timing set @ 8BTDC
Timing light put on each lead = good flash
Plugs 2 + 4 pulled and earthed = good spark
Carby disassembled, blown out, level set, idle set, etc. Tweaking idle on each choke =
Valve clearances set, top-end looks OK, nothing sticky
Dizzy checked (cap/rotor/no shaft wobble/ vac+mech advance OK)
*
Err, have we missed something?

Once you have sealed the manifold correctly and get it running better check the dizzy over , I cant count the number of dizzys that exploded on my motors , stretched spring are a problem and will cause pinging and poor running , thing to look for is weights running against the inner body meaning fix the springs , think about adding an aftermarket transistorized ignition which cuts the points voltage down to almost nothing

[something wrong]

Mate has taken car to a place to get it sorted out, Will see what happens.

[something wrong]

Have now sorted the issue out, after changing everything we could think of, my friend tried bridging the ballast resistor and that fixed the issue.

So the final wash up was ballast resistor and a slight manifold air leak