79 died while driving
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
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79 died while driving
I was driving home from work yesterday and the car lost engine power every couple of seconds, started misfiring and finally died. Pulled off the road and tried to restart, it would catch occasionally but was running really rough and backfiring out of the exhaust. I had it towed home and tried starting it this morning, caught for a second or two a couple times, but still running really poorly.
pulled air cleaner to see if it is getting gas, it is. That pretty much only leaves ignition, is that correct?
pulled air cleaner to see if it is getting gas, it is. That pretty much only leaves ignition, is that correct?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 47
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Ok, let me restate the question. Giving the facts above, does it make sense to check the ignition first?
I have all new MSD ignition stuff setting on a shelf for install this winter. I could move that up to tomorrow.
I have all new MSD ignition stuff setting on a shelf for install this winter. I could move that up to tomorrow.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
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From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Pop the distributor cap -- put a socket on the crank bolt and turn the engine- see if the distributor rotor moves with the crankshaft. If you pull the spark plugs you can roll it backward and not have to worry about the crank bolt. I'd bet on the timing chain/upper gear shedding it's nylon teeth.
But absolutely YES- check the ignition first. Always start with the easy/cheap stuff- always.
But absolutely YES- check the ignition first. Always start with the easy/cheap stuff- always.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Pop the distributor cap -- put a socket on the crank bolt and turn the engine- see if the distributor rotor moves with the crankshaft. If you pull the spark plugs you can roll it backward and not have to worry about the crank bolt. I'd bet on the timing chain/upper gear shedding it's nylon teeth.
But absolutely YES- check the ignition first. Always start with the easy/cheap stuff- always.
But absolutely YES- check the ignition first. Always start with the easy/cheap stuff- always.
agree on each point
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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Would it ever start with the timing chain in that condition?
if the seller is to be believed this engine only has about 2,000 miles on it since rebuild.
if the seller is to be believed this engine only has about 2,000 miles on it since rebuild.
Last edited by Jason 1979; Sep 21, 2019 at 04:33 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
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From: Western New York
But you don't know if the timing gear (nylon) was replaced in the rebuild. If the gear lost a tooth or two while you were driving, it would die on the quick. Also, don't go changing things with the MSD until you figure out what went wrong. Good luck.
Duane
Duane
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
IGN Modules usually, but not always, just die without much warning once they get hot. Waiting 30 min or so for cool down and the modge will be fine, start right up.
The modge has circuit board type wiring inside. The heat breaks the contacts, shuts everything off.
A coil may be erratic. They seldom fail, but again, should work after cool down.
Your next step is verifying a good, strong spark at a plug.
The modge has circuit board type wiring inside. The heat breaks the contacts, shuts everything off.
A coil may be erratic. They seldom fail, but again, should work after cool down.
Your next step is verifying a good, strong spark at a plug.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
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So, here is my plan for tomorrow.
1) pull a plug and check for spark.
2) if spark, pull all of the plugs and check them out. While the plugs are out, turn the crank and see if rotor moves. If rotor moves see if it is pointing to 1 at TDC. That should eliminate timing chain.
3) if no spark, check to see if distributor is getting 12v at various key positions. If so, replace all of that with the parts I have on hand. If not, find out why.
That sound about right?
1) pull a plug and check for spark.
2) if spark, pull all of the plugs and check them out. While the plugs are out, turn the crank and see if rotor moves. If rotor moves see if it is pointing to 1 at TDC. That should eliminate timing chain.
3) if no spark, check to see if distributor is getting 12v at various key positions. If so, replace all of that with the parts I have on hand. If not, find out why.
That sound about right?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
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From: Cool Northern Michigan
Yes. You want all that done before one, NFL kickoff time.
Keep it simple for now. Could be those IGN wire harness clips on the side of the distributor cap. Or module harness connection.
While the cap is off, take a dry paper towel and wipe the inside clean of "carbon tracking".
Keep it simple for now. Could be those IGN wire harness clips on the side of the distributor cap. Or module harness connection.
While the cap is off, take a dry paper towel and wipe the inside clean of "carbon tracking".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Pro
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 529
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From: Texas
I was driving home from work yesterday and the car lost engine power every couple of seconds, started misfiring and finally died. Pulled off the road and tried to restart, it would catch occasionally but was running really rough and backfiring out of the exhaust. I had it towed home and tried starting it this morning, caught for a second or two a couple times, but still running really poorly.
pulled air cleaner to see if it is getting gas, it is. That pretty much only leaves ignition, is that correct?
pulled air cleaner to see if it is getting gas, it is. That pretty much only leaves ignition, is that correct?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 1,949
From: Temple Terrace Florida
If you suspect that an ignition component is heating up and failing, get a can of dust off or other product that sprays compressed air. Its spray will cool a component down very quickly and point you in the right direction. Jerry
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 77
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From: Pgh Pa
Yes ...AND ... $10 worth of cleanup & spruce-spray paint has rebuilt fleets of motors.
We used to call these Sherwin-Williams rebuilds when I operated Equipment
We used to call these Sherwin-Williams rebuilds when I operated Equipment
Last edited by elmo771; Sep 22, 2019 at 10:21 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2019
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Getting a spark on number 1 and 3, was doing it by myself so kinda hard to get a good read on it. It seemed weak and not regular. The tool I had to check it said set at 35 for Chevy hei, it would not arc at 35, had to close the gap down to 20 to get an arc.
I need a better tool to get the plugs out, ordered.
I need a better tool to get the plugs out, ordered.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Because of my headers, three out of eight plugs I can't use a ratchet on it. I put either an open-end or a box-end wrench on the 3/8 drive sparkplug socket.
And sometimes you are better off reaching plugs from underneath using ramps, if that helps.
And sometimes you are better off reaching plugs from underneath using ramps, if that helps.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 22, 2019 at 02:16 PM.
