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Restoring a 3wheeler vw. The bug starts, runs for about 6 seconds, then quits. I am thinking that the generator brushes are worn, first thoughts. What does the condensor do? Are the short distributors timed at TDC? I have it timed 7 1/2 before TDC. Trike has been sitting for 20 years.

Got a photo of it to see what carbs etc?

Condenser is a capacitor, takes excess load off the points & stops them getting carbon coated.

Engine can run on battery alone so generator brushes unlikely to stop it running unless shorting out something

Fuel is the normal starts/runs/quits item... could be starving for air, could be flooding, could be starving for fuel... but Spark is likely OK if it runs then dies. Get a picture of the Dizzy for something to work with for timing... sounds a little short on timing advance needed, but that is subject to many other things. Once running consistently, then work out proper timing. Too far advanced will burn a hole in #3 piston... so you'll want to work that out pretty quickly.

Fuel pump could be the issue (bad diaphragm or worn out push rod etc...) On something that's been sitting for 20 years, I;d start with a full tear down of the Carb and buy the inexpensive rebuild kit... clean it THOROGHLY using plenty of carb cleaner and compressed air. Check float for leaks (is it full of fuel?).

If it starts for a short time like that, I would more likely suspect that the carb(s) more likely are having float issues or the fuel feed to them is bad (plugged soft line for example.

Lee

Carb kit installed, new fuel pump/lines. Has fuel regulator set to 2 1/2. Plug, wires, points replaced. Seems to want to flood over and even drip gas out the left exhaust pipe. Maybe float jammed at closing up the carb. Thanks for the input.

Solved. Brought the carb to a friend. It needed more gaskets on the needle seat to close float.