Working on our 1969 Daimler 250V8

Our technician Jon has been working his magic on the 1969 Daimler 250V8 which is currently being checked over and repaired in our restoration workshops at the Bridge Classic Cars HQ in Suffolk.

When the car arrived, it was taken out on test and found that under load it would lose 2 cylinders. So, Jon got it into the workshop to check that out and give the whole car a look over with a fine tooth comb. At this point, Jon is tracking down some electrical issues in the classic saloon along with a thorough inspection and test of the cooling system.

”Finish earth wire in boot, tape into loom, connect and test, ok. Carry out cooling system pressure test. Leave at 15psi and check over for signs of leaks. Tighten various jubilee clips but still holding pressure after 10 mins. Check heater valve operation . Lever stiff and won’t stay in position as if cable seized or loose.heater valve moves by hand. Get off ramp. Refit drivers carpet. Strip centre console and check heater cable. Found cable bent up and twisted. Strip and straighten cable both ends. Work cable in and out. Reattach to heater valve. Remount cable to lever and test. Works now. Refit centre console. Check interior lights. No power. But with power probe they all work. Check cigarette lighter socket, no power. Check fuses and found blown fuse. Replace and test, ok now.”

After sorting out the wiring issue, Jon could move onto getting to the bottom of the running issue with the Daimler.

”Take outside and warm up. Still holding back and won’t rev smooth up the rev range. Return to workshop. Check cap and rotor and elec ignition. Remove spark plugs clean and regap. Remove offside carb suction chamber and piston. Inspect, needle a bit green and rough. Clean all parts and remove float bowl lid and suck out fuel. Clean inside and blow through. Set jet depth with verniers. Reassemble carb and check piston free.”

”Continue with carb clean. Repeat yesterday’s work on nearside carb. Needle looks OK on this carb. So clean and blow out. Set jet depth and refit piston and suction chamber. Ignition on and check for leaks, ok. Refit air filters and take outside and warm up. Starts and idles fine but still won’t rev. Check timing 10 btdc, spot on. Check leads fitted in correct firing order. Pull leads off 1 at a time to check for what feels like a misfire. Hard to tell. Adjust carbs, still the same.”

He then inspected the ignition system, which had an electronic pick up unit fitted. He closed up the gaps as much as possible whilst also removing and checking each spark plug individually and regapping them to spec, before running the car back up again. Although it had helped the issue, Jon has ordered a new spark tester and will continue with his diagnostics once this arrives.