25 year old distributor cap

KCTarga3.2 · KCTarga3.2's Garage

I have an stock 84 3.2 with 62k miles and was starting to get very disappointed in the performance. I burned through a couple bottles of Techron, but no difference in power. I was ready to get the checkbook out for new headers/muffler/bypass, SW chip, and even looked into a 3.6 transplant.

I took the car to BHR in KC and told them the car felt sluggish. They ran the following tests:

Check ground connection points.
Check fuel pressure.
Check plug connections on DME, shock tower, air flow meter, speed sensors, CHT and regulator plate.
Check fuel delivery.
Check airflow sensor function.
Check idle switch function.
Ohm spark plug wires, ignition rotor and cap.
Remove spark plugs and check condition.
Check CHT.
Check intake for leaks.

SOMETIMES ITS THE SIMPLEST THINGS! Turns out the 25 year old car still had the original distributor cap. Also, the cylinder head temp sensor was original and had been cut/spliced by a previous owner.

Replaced the cap and rotor and put in a new "2 wire" sensor to replace the factory single sensor.

Wow - what a difference!! The car runs like I imagine it felt when it first left the dealership in 84. Now that I know what the 3.2 is supposed to feel like, it might be time for some fun perf upgrades.

(For those that ask why I don't attempt my own work, I wish I had the time, skills or space - here's a pic of the car in the garage when I was installing H4's - pretty tight)

gulkster · gulkster's Garage

I had the same thing happen this spring. Original cap and rotor, 95k...they looked like they needed to retire thats for sure! As soon as I put the new ones in/on, the car accelerated smoother and I'm sure harder. Its amazing what a difference regular maintenance makes.

docrodg · 07-02-2009, 08:28 AM

Sometimes you go through hours of work just to find it is the simplest things that are wrong. Makes you want to beat your head against the wall.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

just curious, was there something particularly wrong with the dist. cap? like a crack or something? mine is 26 years old and works fine.

KCTarga3.2 · KCTarga3.2's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by srandallf

just curious, was there something particularly wrong with the dist. cap? like a crack or something? mine is 26 years old and works fine.

There was no visible damage on the outside. After checking the ohms something wasn't right. When the cap was off you could see that the contacts were worn. Maybe someone with more experience can explain better. All I know is that the car is running great.

ramonesfreak · ramonesfreak's Garage

well congrats and enjoy. my car typically feels like a brand new car as well. pretty amazing since its "almost" as old as me

pozee · 07-02-2009, 12:01 PM

Do have the oil changed now that you sent all that Techron through.

Glad to hear it was a simple fix!

docrodg · 07-02-2009, 12:01 PM

IF the cap had a high resistance from the inside terminal to the plug terminal it is typically from deposits on the inner side. In addition, as the car runs, the arcing of the spark from the rotor not only can cause deposits to form, but can erode the terminal away until it is too far a gap for the spark to easily jump.

Bearded Viking · 07-02-2009, 12:14 PM

Looks like it's time for a baseline tune-up!

old man neri · 07-02-2009, 05:15 PM

Just curious but is there a reason you have two different kinds of headlights?

KCTarga3.2 · KCTarga3.2's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by old man neri

Just curious but is there a reason you have two different kinds of headlights?

The pic was taken while I was installing the H4's. Sugar scoops on the right and new H4's on the left. The car has matching H4's with recently painted trip rings to match the guards red.