Mk3 Pinto engine missfire

[MrDI]

Hi Everyone just joined so please be gentle. I've just bought a 1989 Mk3 2.0 pinto camper that failed its MoT on emissions due to an intermittent misfire.
I've changed the easy things such as the dizzy cap, plugs and the leads but still not right. I've put HT testers on all 4 plugs at the same time and when its running the sparks seem fine.
Its not got points but some other system that I'm not familiar with.
If anyone out there has had the same problem and can give me some advice that would be great, any suggestions would be welcome.
Many thanks

[metalworker0]

89 was dead on the year that they went to hardened valve seats for unleaded fuel .. if yours missed out on this, then there is a possibility it has valve seat recession and the valves need adjusting because they are staying open, for now, if this is the case, they will carry on receding and will close the set gaps called clearances.
regardless .. even if not the above problem, worth adjusting them anyway .. as its part of routine maintenance
note that valves that go this way, the tappets don't become noisy they go silent. sometimes first indicator of this is; pop, pop, pop from the exhaust going down hills.

all the best.mark

[metalworker0]

i don't know a lot about dates when EFI came in .. if carb --could also need a carb rebuild, ignition timing also worth checking.

all the best.mark

[MrDI]

Hi Mark.

Thank you for the info I will check the valve clearances tomorrow, would never have thought of that! I wondered if it might be a carb related problem as if memory serves I thought that the VV carbs were troublesome?

I have spare 2L Pinto in the lockup and considered swapping the carb for that as its a twin choke Weber but it looks like it has the fuel return hose on it that my one doesn't, and don't know where to buy things like gaskets from.

Thanks again for your advice great to be part of a Forum this is all new to me! I don't suppose that you would know the best place to buy insurance for the van would you?

Kind regards.

Daryll.

[metalworker0]

I don't know how old they consider a vintage van to be before they say it can have "THE CHEAP" classic car insurance.

If you can get classic car insurance you're limited to i think 3000 miles.

Look here:-

https://www.google.com/search?q=classic+car+insurance

Also: you have three years before you get free road tax - 40 year rule

Get the part numbers from here .. put the part numbers into ebay

http://www.catcar.info/ford/

Older parts below link..i'm not saying the site is any good , because no ones done business with them and reported the outcome
but seems on the face of it, a site that caters for stuff going back 70 years.. that includes all mk1's mk2's mk3's, right the way up to mk7

https://www.onlinecarparts.co.uk/mapco-2033962.html

Perhaps , give it a try and do a review of it here


all the best.mark

[dumper]

The biggest problem with the vv is the diaphragm and if it’s a early one the auto choke if you’re going to clean it out check the float level it can effect the mixture if to high ,always used to remove the carb to clean it if you do and unscrew the Ventura and remove it and turn it upside down a small ball with weight on top of it will fall out think it’s part of the accelerator pump that’s on the outside of the carb we always used to change both they come with three different coloured spaces. You fit the same one you removed from the carb you have also try adjusting the mixture screw on the side it will be under a tamper proof seal if it’s not been done before back in the day a good mot tester would adjust the mixture if out but most mechanics know very little about carburettors and only used to fuel injection.
As mark said check the valve clearance and do a compression test

[MrDI]

Thanks for the info Dumper, I will be taking it to my local garage tomorrow to see if they can fix it, I will pass on your information to them.

[metalworker0]

This may help

https://www.google.com/ put these words in

ford+pinto+OHC+what+do+machine+shops+stamp+on+engines+with+hardened+valve+seats+fitted

all the best.mark

[SparkyDuke]

Hi Daryll, re insurance, I have a 91-92 Mk4 Transit camper conversion 2.0L Pinto and I use Performance Direct, I get 5k miles (more than enough in a camper), breakdown cover and Euro cover.

https://www.performancedirect.co.uk/cam ... insurance/

Hope this is helpful

Sparky

[SparkyDuke]

Hi Daryll, re insurance, I have a 91-92 Mk4 Transit camper conversion 2.0L Pinto and I use Performance Direct, I get 5k miles (more than enough in a camper), breakdown cover and Euro cover.

https://www.performancedirect.co.uk/cam ... insurance/

Hope this is helpful

Sparky

Correction on the mileage, its 9k