The V8 Owners Forum -

Redders wrote: I have no idea what I have done but it started, the only thing i had done was push the car out of the garage and out into the sun ............


only thing I could think it was damp ! ..............


after letting it rest for couple of hours and fired straight away ! ....... so I guess I am perplexed !!!

Hello, No need for any perplexion Redders! The reason the engine now starts, and will continue to do so - if you take the recommended actions, below - is that it was badly flooded, probably due to continuously trying to start it when cold, the choke was flooding everything the sparks were being quenched and as you suggest perhaps a touch of damp inside your garage affected the ignition adversely. Suddenly outdoors, the sun warms up the engine under the closed bonnet, the petrol fumes inside the manifold evaporate and BINGO!

My recommendation would be to get the engine thorough warmed up, take it for a long run, if its road legal, and change the oil if it remains contaminated. However the volatile petrol should evaporate off via the breathers leave you with the original lube waiting to be topped up, whatever?

To prevent it happening again, get your ignition system in good order, clean everything, inside cap, rotor arm, leads, coil outers, check security of low tension wiring from ign switch, etc etc.

More help here:

http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/pag ... ion04.html

http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/pag ... ion05.html

Then make sure the carbs are cleaned and no water inside, jets clean, needles not worn, choke working. And when all is said and done, remember ----- RV8 engines hate being flooded.

PS - You could go back to your trouble free SU carbs in which case my basic article may help you with setting them up

http://www.vintagemodelairplane.com/pag ... tUp01.html

Thanks for your help !
I binned the SU's for the Edelbrock because of bonnet height..

I am in Braintree, not far from Stansted airport..