83 Safari no fire

[Zakhil]

Hey guys,

Desperate, clueless, and stuck! On Monday the Safari simply refused to start. Since then I have done the following with no luck. It has been standing outside for a few weeks and 200m from the ocean I must ad. do anyone have a list of other things I might check before I sell it for scrap metal? There's petrol and it goes into carb fine, power going everywhere, battery going flat quicker than expected after trying to start a few times, and strangely the "charge" light goes off at certain times when it clearly should stay on. I do have a battery charger now connected the whole time but that doesn't affect the charge light.

Changed all fuses
Changed the coil with an old/new one
New points
Dissasembled the distributor and put back together
Traced most of the wiring I could find

I don't know how to check if the coil is actually working and sending a spark to the distributor. Also not sure to check for any earth problem that's not visible. All I can think is that it must be an earth issue, or that both coils are not working.

I appreciate any and all recommendations or help on this! I'll go get greasy and check back later.

UPDATE: It starts now. A clever guy on YouTube showed me how to test the coil. While doing that I encountered a short when something touched that should have. Checked spark on coil and there was plenty. Tried the ignition and it took the first time. So no idea what happened really. Since I tried 2 coils and non worked, and when I got sparks flying with the short, it all came together. Maybe a relay that needed to be kicked into place?

[Alex Roux]

So, is it all sorted now?
Maybe a bad connection somewhere that got a bump?

[jakeslouw]

I would have bought it for the scrap value

[Zakhil]

So, is it all sorted now?
Maybe a bad connection somewhere that got a bump?

Unfortunately not

I now have fire everywhere, which seems wasn't even the issue from the start. It starts occasionally and runs smooth for about 10 seconds then dies. Keep going back to not getting fuel but it is definitely coming through. When I set the timing and/or adjust the points it sounds better and starts sometimes but then go back to normal. Have been battling for 2 weeks and there's no mechanic in Gouritsmond.

[Peter Connan]

Carb or fuel injection?
Mechanical or electrical fuel pump?

There may be a blocked strainer somewhere on the fuel system (fuel pumps often have them, and carbs could have them on the inlet). Or it could even be a hose or something. If there is enough flow to fill the carb float bowl before starting, but not enough to run the engine you might get symptoms like this.

[Zakhil]

Original L28 Safari engine with Weber 40 carb.

Thanks for that, I'll look it up since first time hearing of a strainer. In the process I'll also change both petrol filters. since I thought, if there's juice coming out it must be fine, and as you mention here it might not be the case.

[jakeslouw]

I think Peter is onto something. If you're running a mechanical fuel pump, I would say that will be my first suspicion. I've had countless mechanical pump failures.

In fact, my default with those types of systems is to supersede with a low pressure electrical pump.

[Zakhil]

Yes, thanks. I have one filter in front of the pumps, the 2 pumps inline, and a filter in the front just before the carb. Was checking fuel all the time and the last filter stays half full. Also, when pushing the accelerator, it produces a steady stream of fuel into the carb. But as Peter mentions, it might not be the case while idling.

[jakeslouw]

Hmmmm....

Float level? Stuck needle and seat?

[Zakhil]

There's no visible float on this car. Also, I don't think it's the fuel. When I put fuel directly into the carb it doesn't start. Starting just "happens" intermittently. Also when I push the accelerator it still supplies ample fuel into carb.
I've checked the points numerous times and adjusted timing to multiple positions, although I still think the issue must be around there.

I can add videos or pictures of anything you guys might want to see.