AndyW

Yes in fairness the jump leads were heavy duty so no problem there. But even with another battery connected it doesn’t mean the voltage is getting through, if there are wiring problems. It would be worth putting a voltmeter on the coil and checking that it is getting 12v or more when turning over the starter. If it’s not that would indicate a voltage drop somewhere in the system.

I don’t think the blue marks have any significance. The correct cam alignment when the crankshaft has been rotated to 90 deg BTDC is: left hand inlet cam sprocket should have the In mark pointing to 3 o’clock position right hand exhaust cam sprocket should have the Exhaust mark pointing to 9 o’clock ie both marks should be aligned facing the centre. You can get a locking wedge to hold them in place when working on the engine. .

We were getting a spark at the plugs and the engine ran, so the coil should be ok. If you've swapped the throttle body we really need to test if the TPS on that body is really working properly. We got a test output from it but maybe its not good. If you've got a multimeter and can get to the back of the wires inside the connector, here are the test details...

This is Wayne’s Superspec you’re talking about? The last I heard the engine was reluctant to crank and start. Did you have the battery tested to see if it was holding its charge, and check all the starter and battery earth cables and terminals as suggested? If you’ve gone ahead and removed the starter motor for testing I’m not sure why the flywheel could be stuck. There is nothing else in contact with it. Make sure it’s not in gear! You should be able to put a large ring spanner on the front crank pulley bolt and turn the engine over by hand, though not easily as you’ve got engine compression to overcome. It’s easier with all spark plugs removed. The engine should turn fairly easily then as I recall when I rebuilt my engine.

To be clear when you say you have starting problems, is it the starter motor only turning over slowly or reluctantly? Or does it crank ok but not fire up and run?

I've got a Varta Silver C6 52Ah in my Superspec. Bought it in 2018 to replace the original 12 year old battery and it immediately fixed all my poor starting & cranking issues, and is still going strong. Having said that, the original Rovers had 45Ah batteries so would have thought yours was ample enough. Check the battery earths have good contact.

Just to check whether it’s a vent or vacuum problem with the fuel tank you could try driving without the filler cap on.

I hope to be there for the Saturday, if the weather holds

Thanks for the offer Dave. I had a good look at Derek's Surrey top this week, so I'm probably ok on the awning rail and fixing. I'm still pondering on whether to stay with my existing press studs on the screen, or change the front fixing to an awning rail. In the 3-4 times I've had to drive the car in rain over the past 6 years, I've not found that much water comes over the top of the screen between the material seam. I'm tempted to live with the current fixing to reduce the amount of work. Also, I tend to undo 3 poppers on the edge of the windscreen and fold the roof over as an aid to getting in or out of the car. I wouldn't be able to do that with an awning rail fitting.

Thanks for asking Derek. So I’m on the right lines with that PU coated material. Looks like that company don’t do a 330 gsm, only a heavier weight 380gsm but that might be too thick to easily work and sew. As you suggest I was already considering changing the windscreen mount to an awning channel with coax cable in the Surrey seam to slide in. I’ve got poppers along the top of the windscreen at the moment and they do allow some water to come in over the top of the screen in heavy rain. So I could remove the poppers and either screw or bond a rail on. Just need to work out how to make the curves for the edges

Hi Derek, I’ve seen this material mentioned before, which seems suitable. https://www.profabrics.co.uk/products/6oz-pu-coated-nylon?variant=6809898435 A couple of meters to try won’t break the bank. And I have my existing Surrey top to use as a template, so just need cut and hem it.

What material did you use for the Surrey roof Derek? My new year project is to make a new one myself - if the sewing machine (and my lack of skill) is up to it.

Great to see another Superspec on the road. Looks good. And unusual to see the handbrake mounted on the right of the driver’s seat instead of by the passenger seat. How is the cable linkage arranged?

Yes, me too