S1 8V Modifications?

[Mercman]

Hi guys, new to the forum and new to this car.
I'm a mechanic and have been asked by a friend to look at his Rallye. The car is heavily modified but still has the 1.3 8v engine.
My problem is not knowing which parts have been used and if there are better options.
The car is running on motorcycle carbs (R6)
It has a distributor possibly Citroen AX has a electrical unit on the side of the distributor.
Ignition Coil again looks like AX or 205.#

So the car was fine a few weeks ago, running well i'm told.
Now it starts and runs but not well and won't rev if driven ( bogs down badly, feels like multiple cylinder misfire, seems much worse than fuel starvation.

Compression test shows 165-175 all cylinders.
I have already replaced leads, cap and rotor because they looked so old but no help.
Spark seems quite weak, even from the coil lead.
Oil leaking from distributor. a little found in cap. (worried about pickup being oily)

I feel that ignition system parts should be replaced or updated to make the car reliable in the long run so I'm after suggestions on what to use. Both in terms of Distributor and possible upgrades.

Also if anyone knows what sort of ignition timing figures are required for this.

Anyone experienced these modifications?

Any help appreciated.

[MHR1294]

First thing I'd do is check it's actually getting fuel. Make sure the carbs are all set and working together.

I'm assuming the leads are all in the right firing order?

Then check or change the coil and check the wiring for fraying etc.

The best thing you can do, it's get rid of it all. Fit the standard Rallye ECU and loom with all the sensors (which mostly will probably still be on the engine) and then simply don't plug in the injectors - which on a rallye is only one 2 pin plug. The ignition timing will take care of itself that way.

that's my opinion

[Mercman]

Originally Posted by MHR1294

First thing I'd do is check it's actually getting fuel. Make sure the carbs are all set and working together.

I'm assuming the leads are all in the right firing order?

Then check or change the coil and check the wiring for fraying etc.

The best thing you can do, it's get rid of it all. Fit the standard Rallye ECU and loom with all the sensors (which mostly will probably still be on the engine) and then simply don't plug in the injectors - which on a rallye is only one 2 pin plug. The ignition timing will take care of itself that way.

that's my opinion

Thanks for that. I've checked the float heights and cleaned all jets. Spraying fuel into the carbs doesn't help at all. Going back to the original ignition system sounds like a difficult task of locating all the parts and I wonder if it would work. I was thinking that the conversion to distributor was done because of the carb conversion to make the timing adjustable.

If anyone knows about this conversion, please share your knowledge.

[shenparbitch]

Fuel pressure been dropped enough ??

I ran the ax dizzy + r6 carbs on mine for 5 years on my everyday car, once dialled in they should be fine