Early Ignition System Problems
 

I have a 1973.5 911T and am having ignition problems I think. I know my Bosch CD Box is having issues and is not fully functioning. In addition I am getting spark out the spark plug wires and I am getting spark out of the ignition coil. When I pull out my spark plugs they have fuel residue on them, so I know I am getting fuel. I have not set the timing on the distributor. And I am getting some fuel out of the muffler...just a little bit to give me the idea that it isnt burning up. It is also not back firing. A friend threw out the idea that the spark wasnt hot enough and that was caused by the CD Box not doing its job. I was hoping that you guys could give me some closure on the subject, and directly narrow it down to the CD Box.
David

Does the car actually run???

If you have wet spark plugs ... then you have a fuel injection problem!!! The same answer if it was an American V-8 OR VW BEETLE!

Find out why the plugs are wet before blaming the CDI-system! Have you checked to see if the cold-start solenoid is stuck open or getting power all of the time?

The car will turn over but it won't start. I have not checked the cold-start solenoid. How would I go about doing that?
Does this mean that my spark is hot enough? Or could that still be a problem?

Before you do any further trouble shooting, do the basic step of setting the distributor timing and dwell (gap) of the points. This is assuming you still have the stock breaker points distributor. If these items are off enough the car will not run even if it is getting fuel or too much fuel. If it is still not starting then start looking at the cold start valve, hand throttle linkage, hand throttle microswitch (enables cold start valve), etc. Forget about the hot spark issue and hope it isn't the CD box. Have priced a replacement Bosch CD box? Cheers, Jim

I have not set the timing on the distributor. How would I go about it? I have set the gaps on my stock points. I also have looked at the hefty price of a new CD box and was thinking about going with a MSD unit. Your thought? Thanks alot.
David

You'll have to "static" time the engine; to avoid having to do this in the future mark the position of your distributor before you loosen or remove it. Get the engine at the timing point for cylinder one for your year and model (5 degrees ATDC or whatever) by turning the fan/alternator nut (turn clockwise as you look at the fan) and pushing in on the belt on the right side so it doesn't slip. The 5 degree ATDC (or whatever it is) notch on the engine pulley has to line up with the engine centerline and the contact point (where it touches the distributor cap contacts) of the distributor rotor has to approximately point at the notch on the base plate of the distributor. Keep turning over the engine until you get both to line up at the same time. Then rotate the distributor until the base plate notch and the rotor contact point line up. Then tighten the lock nut on the distributor. Next, using a feeler guage, set the point gap at somewhere around .025". This should be close enough to get the engine started so you can measure what the real timing and dwell are. Good luck, Jim