08-18-2018, 07:08 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 251
|
Engine Dies
My car always starts and runs well. Yesterday if kept dying after about 15 seconds. The choke could not save it. I started moving the spark lever up and down and the motor would come back to life. Then it would die again and I would find a different spot on the lever that would bring it back. This was the only way to keep it running. The spot on the spark lever seemed different each time. Finally I shut it down. Checked timing and points and both were right on. What is going on?
|
08-18-2018, 07:26 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,822
|
Re: Engine Dies
Check inside your distributor. Something could be grounding out as you move the advance back and forth. You know it’s going to be a simple problem. Enjoy.
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
08-18-2018, 07:34 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Tacoma, WA
Posts: 1,025
|
Re: Engine Dies
Crud in the interior of the gas cap. Start and the second it dies remove the gas cap slowly. If you hear a whoosh the cap is not venting. Remove cap and start. if it runs fine that's the culprit.
|
08-18-2018, 08:09 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Hat City (Danbury CT)
Posts: 647
|
Re: Engine Dies
Pull fuel line from petcock, check that you have good fuel flow .
__________________
"I can't cry as long as I know the Lord has risen " |
08-18-2018, 09:38 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
|
Re: Engine Dies
I would pull a spark plug wire a 1/4 inch away from a plug and watch the spark when it starts acting up. If spark stays steady and strong, check for fuel issue. If not, troubleshoot on the spark side. First step is always isolating issue to either spark or fuel. Resist the advise to start throwing parts at it. I can hear it already... "change the condenser", "Change the coil", "Check the blinker fluid", etc. "My car did the exact same thing, and it was the wrong weight oil in the rear end"!
__________________
"There are some that can destroy an anvil with a teaspoon and shouldn't be allowed to touch anything resembling a tool." |
08-18-2018, 09:58 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: So Cal
Posts: 8,748
|
Re: Engine Dies
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Bob |
08-18-2018, 10:29 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Santa Maria, CA
Posts: 985
|
Re: Engine Dies
What Bob said. Something shorting inside the dizzy.
__________________
Alan 1929 Special Coupe 1941 Pick-Up 1955 Victoria |
08-19-2018, 05:46 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Gwynn's Island Va
Posts: 1,386
|
Re: Engine Dies
Your spark rod is probably moving your ignition cable causing it to short out. Raise the hood at night and turn key on. Now move spark lever and look for a arc. I have found a couple over the years where the wire inside the cable housing is bad.
|
08-19-2018, 09:31 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
|
Re: Engine Dies
I would tend to agree with the primary ignition issue. I'd recommend checking for spark, remove plug and place 1/4" or so from good ground and crank the engine. If no spark then check the primary lead from key switch to distributor and internal distributor primary lead to make sure the insulation is good and not grounding. The internal wire is kinda sorta special, many many very fine strand wire that is able to withstand the bending twisting from the lever and plate, Its available from the venders or possibly from local electrical store.
If there is spark and engine won't start, then I'd recommend looking to gas cap and then fuel flow. Last edited by Patrick L.; 08-20-2018 at 05:47 AM. |
08-19-2018, 08:34 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 702
|
Re: Engine Dies
I'll bet Wick is right. Something's shorting out as the distributor plate rotates, and that's why it sometimes revives as you move the spark lever. IMO.
|
08-19-2018, 09:17 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 137
|
Re: Engine Dies
If it's original, my money is on the pigtail wire.
|
08-20-2018, 04:36 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: FRESNO, CA
Posts: 12,560
|
Re: Engine Dies
That's probably it, Fred, but folks are AFRAID to take that "MYSTERIOUS" distributor apart, to check it.
EVERYONE should have an OLD Distributor, to take apart & "practice" on. Even Doctors are always "PRACTICING"--Do they ever get it RIGHT???--BUT, they're sure good at ADDING DOLLAR AMOUNTS! Bill W.
__________________
"THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" |
08-21-2018, 04:17 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 251
|
Re: Engine Dies
Thanks for all the responses. It turned out to be the pig tail. Made the fix and all works well now. You guys are great.
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|