Identify that axle! oh and starting problems...

[Pete Clayton]

Took the rear drums off to have a look at the brakes. I want to get new shoes and wheel cylinders but i'm not sure what axle it is. Can anyone tell by the photos?

The other problem is I can't get the damn thing to run now either. Started fine tuesday night. Fitted new plugs and condensor yesterday. I accidently broke the rotor arm so put on an old spare and now it won't run.

Tried putting the old condensor back on too, points look brand spanking and aren't pitted. Have a good spark if I put a plug in to the king lead but the spark looks a bit weedy from a normal outlet and possibly intermittent. Voltage to coil is all good and fuel is getting to the carbs. Going to get a new cap and arm and see if that helps.

On a plus note, a new earth at the back now means all lights are functioning correctly!

[Big Vern]

Judging by the handbrake lever and bracket on the diff I'd say MK 2 Cortina - You should be able to get shoes and cylinders from brakes international though you need to confirm the wheel cylinder sizes.

BV.

[Pete Clayton]

Just been looking at some shoes on ebay was surprised how little meat they have on them to start with. Would I be right in thinking there is a fair bit of life left in the ones in the pic?

[Paul Ford]

hi Pete have you got petrol in the float chambers, when i first tryed to to get my engine to run it would not go, had good spark petrol at the carbs tryed every thing. no mater how much i turned it over plug never got wet. found dirt in needle valves in float chembers ,clean them out no problems since Paul

[Pete Clayton]

Thanks Paul. I'm now pretty sure its a fueling issue. Have changed the plugs, condensor, dizzy cap, rotor arm, coil and king lead. Spark looks ok.

I took the airbox off and I do however seem to have fuel leaking out of the right hand carb, see the puddle on the engine mount! Any ideas where to start, not too clued up with carbs!

Paul Ford said:

hi Pete have you got petrol in the float chambers, when i first tryed to to get my engine to run it would not go, had good spark petrol at the carbs tryed every thing. no mater how much i turned it over plug never got wet. found dirt in needle valves in float chembers ,clean them out no problems since Paul

[Pete Clayton]

Thanks they look quite useful. If I take of the top to check the diaphgram do I just undo the 4 screws or do I need to undo the big black screw as well? I wondered if the position of that was important? Diaphgram might make sense, if I cover the inlet with my hand on the left one I get good suction but get hardly anything off the right hand one.

The other thing I wondered was if it could be a stuck float?

[Pete Clayton]

From both carbs the fuel looked a bit like oil but there was a lot more from the right hand one. I'll take the top off tomorrow if I have time. Do I need to unscrew the damper to take the top off or just the screws?

Dave Taylor said:

It could be the float,but more likely to be the diaphgram. The black screw top is the damper simlar to the SU carbs, inside you will find a piston assy and the diaphgram. The diaphgram is then fixed to the piston again I think with 4 screws. When I look at your photo, the fluid looks like oil, and this is the usual sign that the diaphgram is torn. You should be able to pick a kit more 2 up on Ebay.
Let me know what you find, I am intrigued.

[Pete Clayton]

Took the tops off the carbs and had a look at both of the diaphgrams and they both look to be intact, couldn't see any splits.

So, removed the carbs (one was a right sod to get off!). Just taken the bottoms off to have a quick look. Both of them the float is moving ok and the little valve they touch is moving freely. However, one of them looks quite full of crap so could well be a blocked jet. Gonna give them a good clean this week with some carb cleaner.

[Pete Clayton]

Thanks for that Dave, I can't think its anything major. Before I started looking at the carbs I tried disconnecting the fuel pipe and turning the engine over, seemed to be pumping fine. Gonna give the carbs a good clean with carb cleaner and give it another whirl at the weekend, not gonna worry too much if it doesn't the aim for the weekend is getting the brakes done.

[Pete Clayton]

Dave what oil can I use top up the dampers? I spilled most of it out of one of them when I removed the carb!

[Dave Adams]

Your back axle looks like mine, and that i think is a Mk2 cortina axle, I have recently replaced the rear shoes and wheel cylinders, they were not hard to get, the parts came for MK1/2 ford capri 2.0L (9" drums)

[Adrian Southgate]

Thats the same as my spare axle, which is different to the one on the legerra but only the backplate and brake shoes. I'll concur with early escort/anglia/cortina rather than the later ones which has the brake shoes at an angle.