[Tom Endy]

You could have an intermittent short in the distibutor or the pop-out cable. A way to isolate as to which one is to make up an emergency by-pass cable (it is a good idea to carry one with you). It is made from the end of a discarded pop-out cable. You need just the part that screws into the distributor. Attach a wire with a clip lead to it. Remove the pop-out cable from the distributor and screw in the by pass . Remove the red wire from the distributor primary connection and attach the clip lead there. If there is no short in the distributor the car should start and you can drive it that way for a few days to make sure the intermittent has gone away. You will have to remove the clip lead to shut the engine off.

If the problem persists the intermittent is in the distributor. Take it apart and find what is shorting. More than likely the lower wire connecting the two plates together.

One of the few things I always carry with me is a rebuilt road tested distributor and a by-pass cable. I have used it more on other people's car than my own.

A shorted pop cable can be repaired. I would send it to Cal Allen the "key guy". He specializes in them.


Tom Endy