Xflow plug fouling -what do people use n their cars ?

[HendrixsWhiteStratReturns]

Morning

 

As some of you know I had a lot of issues with the car over the last 12 months until James Whiting got hold of it and sorted her out once and for all. I had the chokes taken of the Webers when they were rebuilt last last year but the car does seem fussier/harder to start/needs a lot of cranking.

 

Consequently I get lots of plug fouling issues (sooty) due to the mix being rich on start up/idle. I'm running NGK B8ECS plugs but notice that some Xflow bods reckon BP7ES plugs suit the 1700 Supersprint better. Maybe I need to get them balanced on a r/road

 

Out of interest, and addressed to the Xflow people:

 

1). Which plug do you prefer ?

2). What's your Xflow starting technique to minimise fouling ?

 

Ta !

 

HWS

[MADMALC]

To start my 1700 super sprint I pushed accelerator to the floor 4/6 times before starting then tickled it as it fired. The choke was never even attached to mine so was never used.

I will try and look up which plugs I had.

[MADMALC]

Just had a look but can not find anything, sorry. I remember there was a 'heat' range for different plugs and once you had the tuning right you just kept changing to 'hotter' or 'colder' ones till you found the one for your engine.

The experts will be back with information for you I am sure.

[HendrixsWhiteStratReturns]

[Kingsley Young]

I had a Xflow for 11 years always used NGK B8ECS  Starting the car always pushed pedal down about 5 times then fired up , picking it up on the throttle as soon as she fired.

If you can find someone with a rolling road who can set up Webber’s I would go that route.

Kingsley. 

[Drumster]

Can’t say I ever had starting issues with my 1700 SS. Always used the B8ECS, and same starting procedure as MadMalc. 

[barry watts]

HWS have you got an electric fuel pump or the mechanical pump? The latter will require a lot of cranking to fill chambers. I use 7 or 8 plugs but find the 7 better suited to the 40mph crawlers around sussex.

baz

 

[Duckpit]

Yes I have had this problem but not with a 1700. My 1700Xflow always used B8ECS, however when I restored my Lotus with an old 1600 I naturally put B8ECS in but she kept on fouing up. Eventually I found that I had the wrong plugs, changed them and not a problems since. Probably wont help with a 1700  but I will let you know the plugs, but not in this weather.

[virden]

I agree that a mechanical pump takes longer to fill the  float chambers.  I use "8"s which normally gey me started after 2-3 attempts. NB  make sure you plug gaps are correct and your coil delivering a good spark.

[HendrixsWhiteStratReturns]

Cheers all - experimenting with some new plugs for the Xflow - will let you know how it goes

[OliverSedlacek]

I know that NGK B8s are the usual recommendation but I've always run the 'hotter' B7 grade without problems. They might overheat in track driving conditions, but you could always change to B8s for track and B7s for road.

[Tazio]

I had a chat with John Wilcox this afternoon, he suggested type 7 plugs for the road and 8s for a competition/track engine.

[john g]

I run a mechanical fuel pump and pump the accelerator 8/9 times

[Tazio]

Is that prior to cranking or during cranking?

[john g]

Prior to cranking. If it doesn't fire I'll then pump 2/3 times and catch/feather it on the accelerator.

[HendrixsWhiteStratReturns]

Thanks again to all who posted - I'll let you know how it goes...

[RICHCAT7]

what works for me is ,

Crank over for about 5 to 7 seconds without touching throttle to get fuel up,  then rest  ,then 4 or 5 pumps  crank again and when it fires,  i catch it on the throttle .

Hope this helps

plugs BP6ES i think.

[7 wonders of the world]

unless your running and old mechanical pump (unlikely) the 7 second crank is a waste of time the fuel will prime via the electric pump one the ignition is on.

[Wrightpayne]

Many crossflows / BDR's use a mechanical pump. Webers have a fuel reservoir so dont actually need the pump running to start the engine. The pumps of the accelerator are squirting fuel into the venturi's.

 

 

 

[andy couchman]

BP7ES plugs here. I mainly do touring these days but also use the car for the odd sprint, hillclimb and trackday. In the past swapped to 8s for competition, than back to 7s at the end of the day. When I ran the car on carbs I used a choke (Dellortos) for cold starting, half pressed the throtlle and hoped! Good luck!

Andy

[elie boone]

if 8's are used they will be fine as long as the got hot, they foul easily on short start up's like starting to drive it out of the garage then starting to drive it back in

[7 wonders of the world]

We used B8EV on the hot road engines, the precious metal electrode was more tolerant of fouling,