I used to have a 1.8 SRi on a Y-plate. I didn't even know about a 1.6 SR the engines on those were tough as per my extensive testing of such . I had a 1.6L and did lots of hard work in it back in the day
The early Carb'd petrol's had an automatic choke which stayed on for too long and bore-washed the oil leading to cam wear. Or something. My 1.6 carb'er was my uncles who bought it from new, had it 'Ziebart' rust-proofed and converted to manual choke, the engine was brilliant and the car body lasted many years, it was a great car but in a poverty spec.
The SRi was lowered, fitted with "massive" 15" rimz and a full Janspeed manifold and eggsauce system (sounded sweet) I had it rolling-roaded at 130bhp and given its light weight it went like a stabbed rodent.
Cars in my care:
2021 Kia Spottage 1.6 Pez Turbo Dual Clutch Gearbox Trickery
2013 Renner Twingo - donkey work
2003 2.2hdi estate - mine 1998 Volvo 940 auto estate - also mine 2019 Citroen C3 something - the wife's PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Bournemouth area.
Sadly I have enough motors knocking about the place.....
My Bro-in-law just put a deposit down on a 1.4 petrol Picasso C4 - for the same money as Jasper5's....
2003 2.2hdi estate - mine 1998 Volvo 940 auto estate - also mine 2019 Citroen C3 something - the wife's PP2000 user, can help with faults / diagnostics in the Bournemouth area.
That's a point, I was wondering if the "stall" had something to do with the "starter motor is spinning but nothing engages" and cam belt would cover it, if it's spinning the crank with no compression. His wife is in fact clairvoyant. Either that or he knows exactly what's wrong with it and the story is just that, jackanory.
. I had a 1.6L and did lots of hard work in it back in the day 
and a full Janspeed manifold and eggsauce system (sounded sweet) I had it rolling-roaded at 130bhp and given its light weight it went like a stabbed rodent.
