Norman T300 Trouble

Hi, I am new to the forum but has have been following for while.

I have just purchase a MK2 T300 TA1034 which I believe is circa 1940. the previous owner didn't know anything about it but someone has done a nice tidy resto job in the past.

I have quickly established why the start handle is so bright and shiny, she is "playing very hard to get" and won't start despite 2 blue sparks at something like the right time, good compression and a sniff of easy start.

Is it possible to buy a manual from anyone please.

Will send manual - it's MK1 but should suffice.
Don't worry, as an Admin I can see your email address. Others can't unless you share via Private Message/email

No doubt Blue Cat will be along soon and will be able to give you chapter and verse.

You are a top man..
much appreciated

Norman TA 1034

This engine was sold as a Mk2 on 29th March 1946. It was the 34th Mk2 engine sold.
If it retains it's original magneto it should be a BTH.

It was sold to A G Kidston & Parker Ltd, who were export agents for Canada, Australia and New Zealand (plus other countries). So if your number is correct then your engine should, in theory, not be in the UK. Maybe it came back for some reason, who knows.

The engine was sold as a Mk2, but it was actually manufactured as a Mk1, so Paul's Mk1 manual will be perfect for you.

As regards starting, remember that with a twin opposed engine it is possible to time the magneto 180 degrees out, so it may be good to check that it is firing the cyinders correctly.

That’s all really good stuff,
Thanks

Interesting in that the serial number is stamped into the crankcase body, and not on a serial number plate.

blue cat wrote:... As regards starting, remember that with a twin opposed engine it is possible to time the magneto 180 degrees out, so it may be good to check that it is firing the cylinders correctly.

Maybe just swap HT leads over and give it whirl?

Hi, thanks for that, I have checked and we are get the spark at the right time in the right pot.
I will keep investigating I have the timing cover off at the moment.

Where in norfolk are you? I might be able to offer some help one afternoon if you aren't far from me....

I see that yours has the same exhaust as mine.
I'd assumed it had gone missing, but maybe it's supposed to be like that?

blue cat wrote:Norman TA 1034

This engine was sold as a Mk2 on 29th March 1946. It was the 34th Mk2 engine sold.

Where do you find such detailed information?

Hairyloon,

I am just south of Norwich on the broads,

I am about most days and will put the kettle on..

Norfolk boy wrote:Hairyloon,

I am  just south of Norwich on the broads,

I am about most days and will put the kettle on..

I'm in Cornwall today, but Yorkshire most of the time... I think you meant to aim that at Appletop.
Thanks for the invitation though: you never know, I may pop in...

More the merrier…

Hairyloon wrote:

blue cat wrote:Norman TA 1034

This engine was sold as a Mk2 on 29th March 1946. It was the 34th Mk2 engine sold.

Where do you find such detailed information?

I have the dating book for post 1945 engines made by Norman.

However, I see an issue with your engine number.
Your photo shows the number as TA1034, which I checked and saw that this was listed in the book as being built as a Mk1 engine, fitted with a BTH magneto, but sold as a Mk2 engine. A lot of the early Mk2 engines were bulit with Mk1 parts to use them up rather than thrown them away, so I do see engines like this.

The big photo of your engine clearly shows it to be built as a Mk2 engine in every respect, which means the the serial number should be higher than TA1600. Are there any other numbers stamped into your engine, including those on the Alco plate ?

The other issue was with the original buyer which I indicated was an commonwealth export agent, if the number TA1034 is correct then this engine should not be in the UK. So this also throws some doubt on the serial number being correct.

History sometimes throws up confusing or wrong information to confound us

Hopefully these help

I was wondering if the reason for non-starting lay in the current arrangement of your carburettor levers.

It could be that the throttle is completely closed maybe ??

Compare to the correct orientation of these levers.

I have reattached those to not lose anything, but I have tried to start with the throttle in all positions including full open, she won’t even fire with easy start direct in the plug hole, I have a good blue spark, this has to be timing?

Norfolk boy wrote:Hopefully these help

The Mk2 engine usually has the number stamped into the crankcase on the unpainted part of the engine shown in this photograph (upper left corner).
The other numbers shown as part numbers cast into the parts.

The other popular location for a serial number is on the vertical egde of the mountng foot.

The serial number plate numbers do not in this instance give any clue to help date your engine (they are ALCO numbers, not Norman numbers).

Norfolk boy wrote:I have reattached those to not lose anything, but I have tried to start with the throttle in all positions including full open, she won’t even fire with easy start direct in the plug hole, I have a good blue spark, this has to be timing?

The Wico magneto should trip when the TDC mark on the flywheel is right at the top. There is no other timing for this engine.

Currently the mag trips at the ign mark not TDC?

Norfolk boy wrote:I have reattached those to not lose anything, but I have tried to start with the throttle in all positions including full open, she won’t even fire with easy start direct in the plug hole, I have a good blue spark, this has to be timing?

Have you checked the compression?