Engine stumbled and died. Could not restart.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193
Likes: 70
From: Chicago
Engine stumbled and died. Could not restart.
Went for a short drive last night. All was fine across the board, when all of a sudden the car 'missed' or hesitated for a split second. It got my attention, but it kept going. About a 1/2 mile later, the engine stumbled and died. I have a 1968 with a 427/390, new Lars rebuilt carb. Two weeks ago I replaced the distributor cap, re-did the timing, and replaced the spark plug wires. After all of this the car had been running great. Yes, there was gas in the car and when I flicked the throttle, gas shot in. Engine temp was fine, 75 degrees outside, and oil pressure et al was spot on.
The new spark wires do not have the metal shielding around them. Is this the cause (arcing)? I could not get the car to restart and had to be towed.
Any suggestions on where to start?
The new spark wires do not have the metal shielding around them. Is this the cause (arcing)? I could not get the car to restart and had to be towed.
Any suggestions on where to start?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
Remove a spark plug wire at the plug end, insert the end of a screw driver into the wire connector and hold it close to the valve cover while cranking to see if you have spark?
Did you check if the distributor hold down clamp bolt loosened up?
Assuming you have a points distributor, did you check the dwell before adjusting the timing?
The metal shielding on the plug wires is for AM radio interference suppression.
Did you check if the distributor hold down clamp bolt loosened up?
Assuming you have a points distributor, did you check the dwell before adjusting the timing?
The metal shielding on the plug wires is for AM radio interference suppression.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 193
Likes: 70
From: Chicago
I replaced (with the old one) the wire from the ignitor to the distributor and she fired right up. I could not see any damage to the new wire, but it seemed not create a great connection when I put it on. The older wire had a much more solid connection. She fired right up, took her on two rides today and all seemed fine. Still not sure if this was the fix, so I am driving with a little hesitation in my mind. I guess time will tell.
MelWFF, yes I checked the hold down on the distributor (tight). I replaced the one wire before checking for spark, but given it was turning over and I had gas in the carb, I assumed this may be the cause.
Fingers crossed it is fixed.
MelWFF, yes I checked the hold down on the distributor (tight). I replaced the one wire before checking for spark, but given it was turning over and I had gas in the carb, I assumed this may be the cause.
Fingers crossed it is fixed.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
Ignitor?
I replaced (with the old one) the wire from the ignitor to the distributor and she fired right up. I could not see any damage to the new wire, but it seemed not create a great connection when I put it on. The older wire had a much more solid connection. She fired right up, took her on two rides today and all seemed fine. Still not sure if this was the fix, so I am driving with a little hesitation in my mind. I guess time will tell.
MelWFF, yes I checked the hold down on the distributor (tight). I replaced the one wire before checking for spark, but given it was turning over and I had gas in the carb, I assumed this may be the cause.
Fingers crossed it is fixed.
MelWFF, yes I checked the hold down on the distributor (tight). I replaced the one wire before checking for spark, but given it was turning over and I had gas in the carb, I assumed this may be the cause.
Fingers crossed it is fixed.
Last edited by MelWff; Jun 30, 2019 at 12:28 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 108
Likes: 17
From: Blue springs mo.
Loss of fire.
Went for a short drive last night. All was fine across the board, when all of a sudden the car 'missed' or hesitated for a split second. It got my attention, but it kept going. About a 1/2 mile later, the engine stumbled and died. I have a 1968 with a 427/390, new Lars rebuilt carb. Two weeks ago I replaced the distributor cap, re-did the timing, and replaced the spark plug wires. After all of this the car had been running great. Yes, there was gas in the car and when I flicked the throttle, gas shot in. Engine temp was fine, 75 degrees outside, and oil pressure et al was spot on.
The new spark wires do not have the metal shielding around them. Is this the cause (arcing)? I could not get the car to restart and had to be towed.
Any suggestions on where to start?
The new spark wires do not have the metal shielding around them. Is this the cause (arcing)? I could not get the car to restart and had to be towed.
Any suggestions on where to start?
