Engine Missing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 418
From: Chester Virginia
Engine Missing
My engine, 1973 L-82 w/ automatic, has started running a little 'rough' and has less acceleration. I changed the rotor, cap spark plugs. The idle is 1000 rpm, the timing is 21deg & the dwell is 30deg. After installing the new items it still is running rough. I took the plug wire off the distributor one at a time. There was no speed change when #1 and #4 wires were removed. I put new wires in for these two cylinders. Even after the new wires there was no speed change when #1 & #4 wires were removed. I removed the valve cover on the drivers side and the valves for #1 cylinder were moving as the other three sets of valves. I checked the #1 cylinder for compression and it was 135, similiar to what was checked about three years ago.
Any ideas as to what is wrong or things to check/do???
Roger
Any ideas as to what is wrong or things to check/do???
Roger
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
Likes: 8
From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Are you actually getting spark at each cylinder? You can get a plug and hold it (with insulation of some type) against the engine for ground. Check the suspect wires - you should see a healthy spark.
Have you watched it run at night? If there is any cross fire between wires or ground, you will see a spark.
1000 is pretty high for an idle.
Have you watched it run at night? If there is any cross fire between wires or ground, you will see a spark.
1000 is pretty high for an idle.
when I repeat a lawn mower mTech. advise. 
