79datsun 210

[barbara rhoades]

I have a 79 datsun 210 and it will not stay cranked. She spits, backfires, and now Baby Jane will not stay started without foot on the gas pedal at all times. Not using no oils. Everything is ok, some one said my carb is worn out, it hasn't had nothing done to it since it was bought, that I know of .

[curtis73]

Sounds like a timing issue to me. If it was a gradual change I would suspect the carb.

I would check the carb float level, have yourself or someone check the timing with a timing light, and check the carb/intake for vacuum leaks. Something has changed rather dramatically to alter either the spark timing or the fuel mixture at idle.

[MagicRat]

IMHO it sounds like camshaft timing, which is different from ignition timing. I think this car came with a rubber drive belt, inside the engine. These belts usually require replacement every 50,000 miles or so. When they get old, they can stretch and allow the camshaft to jump a bit, and it will run badly, just as you describe.

[Moppie]

A 79 210 would I think be powered by an old A series, which is based on the old Rover/MG/Mini/ A series engine (i.e Nissan got the blueprints and copied it) which uses a timing chain.
Infact almost all Nissan inline engines use chains instead of belts.

They are pretty tough engines, but at that age with out a rebuild chances are the ignition or the carb, or both have simply gotten to old.

Start with the basics, replace the points, cap, rotor, condensor (capacitor) and Coil, along with the ignition leads if they have been there for a while.
Then reset the timing and see if it helps.
These should be checked every 12months and replaced as needed anyway.
Of course if the have all been done recently then just give them a double check.

Also check the earth to the engine, another thing that will fail on these cars as they age and cause the same problem.

Then check all the wiring related to the ignition circut.
My old 100a had a bad power supply to the points, and a bad conection to the coil, they are easily fixed.

Also make sure all the wires are clean, if they get dirty, or covered in oil it can cause shorts etc.

Then move onto the carb.

I honestly can't remember ever doing anywork on mine, and the 210 will be differnt anyway, however check for the basics.
Is there enough fuel getting to the it, is the filter clogged up?
Sometimes the float will fill, and the car will start then die as its starved of fuel. The float refills etc etc.

Take the air cleaner off, take the lead off the coil, and while the car is being turned over have a look into the carb. Check if there is fuel coming out and going into the inlet.
It should also have glass window in the float, check this has fuel only halfway up it. If its over or underfilled then theres a problem with the float, or it needs adjusting which can be done.


However it sounds most like its an ignition problem, which sould be be right if it's had nothing done to it since your got it.
They require quite simple, but regular maintiance of the ignition system. Something as simple as the points closing up will give exactly the symptoms your describe.