The aerostart would be the same as using wd40 but not as explosive but I'm not sure etc etc

Higher octane fuel has helped ease the problem but not solved what caused it.

The timing I wouldnt know how to do nor have the equipment, and ultra tune wants $185 to do it - thats half the price of electronic ignition.

Tomo is in hastings which is way south east of frankston, I live in Sth Morang which is north of Epping... :D

I've not got other manifolds or carby to test with, would an exhaust manifold gasket leak cause this problem through lack of manifold pressure?

Edit:

Would any or you have a spare working carby/manifold I can put on to test it - and promptly hand back - in your presense etc, as that would answer that question, and allow me to progress down the list of things it could be.

The reason I'm 'scared' to pull it all to pieces myself is that it's my daily driver and my only way to get to work, at the moment it runs in an embarrising fashion, but it runs. The fear being if I pull it apart and when reassembled it won't run - I don't have the prior experience to be able to trouble shoot it.

The reason I asked about exhaust manifold pressure is that the e.manifold to engine exhaust pipe gasket is gone, and I tried wrapping it up with muffler bandage so that I could use the heater without dying, the fumes still come in if I turn on heater vent - so no heater but the car is running alot better. A new exhaust is on the cards of course, but again that $600 might be needed to repair whatever is wrong with the car.

I have a heap of carbs but not sure which ones work so it wouldn't help much.

The exhaust leak between manifold and tail-pipe would not affect the car.

I dunno bout whats more flammable or not. I used aerostart.

Timing doesn;t need that much equipment, but does require you to read up a bit.

I wouldn't be driving it if it's as it is.

Have you checked the manifold gaskets for leaks? By it coming better after you choke it it sounds like there is a leak somewhere and the engine is pulling in air from somewhere before the carby.

How did the problem come about? Did it happen all of a sudden? Or did you pull it apart put it back together and it went all funny? Need some more detail.

EDIT: actually I have the carb and manifold off my A10 that works. Also have a spare manifold gasket somewhere you can have (or just buy one).

Ok - you'ld better go get a beer then start reading, lol,

The problem started when some punk in a wrx decided to overtake me on plenty road with oncoming traffic, in very heavy mist rain and then misgeared.

There was a truck oncoming and his mate was sniffing my tailpipe so I couldn't slam on the brakes to let him in so I went third and hit the gas instead, we both survived just, and the guy actually at next set of lights apologised, misgeared etc etc, I wasnt happy but was gracefull about it.

Ten minutes later she stops running, only alot of choke and promises seemed to get her going.

I figured water on the bottom of the jet chamber or blown gasket, so I put a carby kit through the carby replacing all the gaskets, power plunger, resetting the float and had no miscellaneous parts left over, the previous gaskets where warn, the powerplunger and boot were heavily warn too, and now it was all replaced I knew there wasnt any water in it.

The next morning the car ran worse.

So ok, I thought I've done a head gasket or cracked it or similar, took it to a local mechanic asked him to pressure test the cylinders let me know the results and test the manifolds for leaks.

He wanted $80 an hour, took 2 hours to decide that he couldnt tell me what the problem was but if I left it and let him pull it apart at my expense he'ld eventually find the fault.

Not exactly awe inspiring, so I asked what should the cylinder pressures be and what were the results? he didnt know and the guy that had done the problem solving had gone home, etc etc

So I started looking for a running replacement engine & carby, (hence my WTB post in classifieds), to component swap with and a recommended mechanic - hence this post.

Righto so it copped a flogging, ran worse.

You rebuilt the carb and it ran even worse again?

I think your problems are almost certainly carb/induction related but that can't be said without you having checked everything else.

What about spark? Are all cylinder firing.

Did you clean all the jets in the carbs when you rebuilt them? Blew compressed air through them? Checked there is an inline fuel filter there?

If you're stuck I can lend you carb and manifold but one the VIC boys should be able to help. If you were in SA you'd just bring the car round and we could sus it out, probably have it going.

These engines are that simple, they don't have to be taken to a mechanic (unless it need specialist attention like rebuild etc).

BTW if your mechanic is charging you $160 to compression test do your self a favor and buy one and test the compression yourself. The readings/references should be in the manual, if you don't have one get one. Otherwise download one or refer top the wiki.

Compression testers are available at most car shops. Or on-line. You stick it where the spark plug goes and crank the motor. Disconnect ignition to stop other cylinders firing.

Compression tester

EDIT: Otherwise I have a cheapie here that you can borrow as well....or buy but for christ sake don't pay big money.....that's the beauty of the A-Series (when stock)....simplicity.

I think you need to address the induction before assuming it's compression (seeing as you claim there is no water in oil).

You asked me a while a go for gaskets actually, you are running gaskets on the manifold to head face aren't you? Chris

all cylinders firing, cleaned the jets, replaced in-line fuel filter and rubber fuel line, checked that all manifold/carby nuts nice and tight, havn't replaced the points - need to read up on that.

The higher octane fuel definitely helped, I'll see if I can find someone to replace my points, and will buy a gt40 ignition coil for it, should take care of spark issues?

edit

that guy isn't "my mechanic" just one that was close to work, so convenient and a waste of $$

Don't buy anything until you know what the issue is...unless you can afford that sort of diagnostic process.

Check points give them a clean, but if spark is there then it should work fine.

Manifold gasket?

My two cents are on restricted fuel supply, probley a chunk of rust semi block the inlet in the tank or stuck in the lines. ive had a few dattos that seam to drive fine till you give them a boot full, then they suck #OOPS# up from the tank and struggle to run. try takin the fuel cap off and blowing a small amount of commpressed air(thats is you have a compressor?) backwards through the fuel line( you should hear it bubbling away in the tank.

I'm not sure whats inbetween the manifold and the head, but figured I'ld need a replacement gasket before I pulled it off, and metal ones sounded a tad more enduring.

You obviously know your stuff, when the Internet gets turned on I'll upload a youtube video of it running - but at the moment using my mobile as a modem.

Pulling apart the carby made me realise how simple it all is, the Datsun sedan is stock apart from mags, and I can't believe the performance to fuel consumption and how easy and relaxing it is to drive.

The annoying thing is I know it would take someone that breaths these things a very short time to figure the problem, and tell me what to replace.

Which is why unless I drive 5 hours west to Chris's or 3 hours east to Tomo's I was after a D-mech list from you lot.

Anyhow Clyon it looks like I owe you a beer for the advice so far, thnx mate.

thnx Curtis I'll do that tomorrow at the depot after I knock off