New member: '78 Beta Coupe

[donaldb7]

And any brand recommendations for a new oil pressure sender?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FAE-Oil-Pressure-Sender-Unit-14530-Discount-Car-Parts-/291625987285

Unfortunately they don't post that to my location

Why, where are you?

Scottish Highlands

[donaldb7]

So I've been having some issues with spark! So far, I've put in a new battery and swapped in a new rotor arm, distributor cap, HT leads and plugs but still zero spark on turn over. I've also checked the resistance of the coil which sits at 3 Ohms so I think that's good, but correct me if I'm wrong please. What else could be causing the issue?

Cheers

[peteracs]

Hi Donald

Is your car on traditional points and if so have you checked the gap?

Then disconnect the coil from the points and hook up a 12v bulb one end to the battery, the other to the wire to the points, when you turn the engine over by hand does the bulb light and go out as it turns? If you get permanent bulb on or not at all then you have an issue with earth or capacitor. If you get turn on/off then...

Next reconnect the coil and arrange for the lead from the coil to go to a spark plug if you can fit one onto the end and see if you get a spark whilst turning over the engine on the starter. If no spark then either coil or lead.

Assuming a spark then the issue is with the disti cap and or cables.

Peter

[WestonE]

Check you are getting 12V to the coil ignition on as well.

Eric

[donaldb7]

In the process of resetting the gap on the contact breaker, I noticed a tiny bit of corrosion on the points. Low and behold, after a quick clean = spark at last!

By squirting some fuel into the carb, I've managed to get the car to fire for the first time! What a joy that was...
However, the engine is running rough and it seems like the fuel getting to the carb is inadequate. Therefore, I've been thinking about a new fuel pump and I've reached the crossroads between mechanical and electric.

Does anyone know how I'll be able to find the Gallons Per Hour rating of my Beta in order to select the correct pump if I choose to follow up with the electric pump? Currently looking at Holley's range.

Also looking at replacing the rubber lines. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I believe its 8mm and 4mm bores.

Thanks for all of the advice so far!

[Nigel]

Hi Donald
For your car i'd recommend the electric Huco 'pull' pump from Fast Road Cars.

It's around £65.00. Beware of cheap copies, ask me, I know!

It's designed to fit in the engine bay, pulling fuel. Lots of info on this forum
on how to install. You can leave the existing pump in place, or remove and fit a cover plate.

I'd also suggest an inertia switch as a safety precaution. Any will do the job.

On hoses, get the Gates branded items, and make sure they are suitable for
ethanol-based fuels.

Hope this helps
Nigel.

[peteracs]

Hi Donald

You need R9 rated fuel hose and get branded, not Ebay etc as stories of relabelled R6 etc.

As to sizes I seem to remember 8mm and around 5mm, but easy enough too measure.

See this for discussion on petrol pipes

http://www.volksbolts.com/faq/fuelhose.htm

Peter

[donaldb7]

That's great! Thanks guys

[donaldb7]

Some updates on the build. Not getting many chances to work on the car but I had a week and a bit recently to get some work done. New brakes finished, calipers shot-blasted and rebuild, new master cylinder, all new hardline apart from the line from the master cylinder to the the rear compensator as it was still in good condition and would've been tricky to get it out given the limited height I can get the car to. New softline all all four corners. Brakes have been bled and tested. so far so good...

Tank came out and has been drained and dried before the corrosion and old paint was removed and repainted with a heavy duty metal paint. Inside of tank prepared and lined with POR-15 incase of any pinholes. The fuel lines were all good aside from the last metre or so, which has been cut out and replaced with the suitable hardline and fixed to the underside of the car.

I'll attach some photos below

[donaldb7]

Front Calipers

[donaldb7]

Tank and small section of hardline

[WestonE]

Great work and looking like it will be an excellent car.

[peteracs]

Hi

Nice work, are you using copper pipe for the hardlines?

Peter

[donaldb7]

Hi

Nice work, are you using copper pipe for the hardlines?

Peter

Hey Peter,

Yeah it’s the cupro nickel alloy stuff! Nice and easy to bend, especially for the tight spots on the firewall!

[peteracs]

Hi

The colour in the photo looks like copper, the copper/nickel I have used looks different hence the question.

Peter