Strange Problem

[adam_v64]

I have an old '84 starlet which has seemingly died.

It had an intermittent idle problem, engine shudders etc, adjusting the idle on the carb seemed to help at first, but symptoms got worse and worse, the odd back fire on the exhaust, putting my foot down and at times it wouldnt move and stalled.

Its got worse to start and now it wont start at all, it takes me like 2 hours of trying to make it catch, and its virtually undriveable, shuddering, no power etc. The few trips i have made in this state have needed me to give it LOADS of gas to move, and not stall.

Incidently when it does start, or not as the case may be, the engine shakes like mad for a long while before it starts. I have also at times switched the engine off and it shakes afterwards.

points, sparks, ignition system is fine. Recent oil change and air filter change. Carb is probably v old, not sure. It had a noisy timing chain on start up before these problems, now the familiar rattle on startup (before oil gets into the engine) has gone. Im thinking the timing chain is knackered, any ideas??

p.s - original starlet engine, 993cc 4cylinder.