Ignition died

[DocGraphics]

Going down the road today it just shut down just as the light turned.
I was able to clean & re-gap the points enough to get it going to limp it home, had to pump the gas to get above 2500 rpms for it to even run, then it went fine as long as I kept them up there.

When I got home changed the points, they were totally burnt!
It fires up now & idles for a minute then dies, & hitting the throttle kills it. I can baby the throttle to get it off idle then revs OK, but dies once at idle again for a minute.
I'm guessing the condensor is toast, of course the only ingition part I didn't buy, will order 1 tomorrow.

So anyone have any other ideas????
She has run great up until now then this!

[majicwrench]

Don,
Condensors usually either work--or they don't. If the car starts and you can rev it, cond probably OK.
Does it run better with choke partially closed??
Keith

[azruss]

I have had condensers that act that way in the process of going bad. going bad is less than an hours process, so i would replace the condenser just to get that out of the way. BTW 20% of new condenser are bad out of the box. It does sound like a fuel issue as noted above. I would put the idle jets out of each side of the carb and give them a clean.

[majicwrench]

Agree with the above, a LOT of "new" condensors are bad. Wasn't such a problem 30 years, but now....

[DocGraphics]

I'll check these things, thanks for the suggestion.

The way the points were completely burnt up & they way it just dies/shuts off after idleing for a minute makes me think electrical.

But I will check everything I can while waiting on the condensor & if I can't find the culprit hope that when it gets here that is it.

Anybody else have ideas?

[124JOE]

sure do...
have you done anything to the battery latly?
i had a bad ground at the batt and had it dieing constantly.joe

[chico]

They say that no question is a stupid question...so I hope that also applies to answers Had my 78 die on me and when I finally got it running again had to pump the throttle and keep the RPM's above 2000 just to keep it running. Very frustrating thirty mile ride home...anyways turned out to be the electric fuel pump. ?

[124JOE]

They say that no question is a stupid question...so I hope that also applies to answers Had my 78 die on me and when I finally got it running again had to pump the throttle and keep the RPM's above 2000 just to keep it running. Very frustrating thirty mile ride home...anyways turned out to be the electric fuel pump. Maybe?

start with the filters

[kmead]

Burnt points suggest a bad condenser. I would start there and then check timing. If it will run at higher rpm it suggests the fuel side is fine.

[DocGraphics]

Put the new condensor in, no better. still idles then dies & throttle will kill it if not feathered, higher rpms run fine.

Will start checking all the suggested tomorrow night

[124JOE]

look for loose ends,bearwires,and ground,ground,ground."fig of speach"

[majicwrench]

Again, does it run better with choke partially closed??? Or with your hand resting over the top of the carb?? Sounds very much like it is running too lean. These things are forever plugging the idle/low speed jets.
Keith

[DocGraphics]

I'll start with a new filter, clear glass one I don't like the plastic ones, then I can see fuel supplied & rule out pump.
Then start cleaning idle jets & everything else I can figure.
I will also replace the supply wire from the coil to the single points just because its old.
Then check timing, both advance & timing belt alignment.

Also noticed my new dist cap is cracked like old one, wonder if hood is hitting it? Think I'll rotate it over a tooth, & replace cap again.

Wish me luck!
I'll post up whatever I find

[majicwrench]

Don, save your time and money, if it revs up nothing wrong with the filters or the fuel delivery.
One more time........does it run any better with choke partially closed?????

"supply wire"...... why change good stuff?? Way too many folks spin their wheels like mad trying to make things run right, changing parts that are fine. No need to clean all the jets if it won't idle or accell right, you need to clean the idle/low speed jet, which is quick and easy and can be done on the car in just a few minutes BTW.

I need to pick up a wheel from you, heck maybe I could make it over this weekend. Or call me
Keith 406 293 9277

[DocGraphics]

Keith, when I chokeit out a little by putting my hand over the carb it just dies.
I am cleaning the low idle jet & idle solinoid & mixture screw & will see what it does in the morning.
The supply wire to the points (conversion to single points by PO) is a little frayed & has a connector in the middle so I'm thinking a new wire wouldn't hurt.

I'm here all weekend if your coming this way give me a call 208-819-7173