Unknown type of engine failure

[bugstrider]

It's in good condition but new one is inbound.

Nothing pops out with the connector either.

[timmy2]

Any chance the new dizzy was installed 180 degrees out?

[bugstrider]

Not too sure on that. At this point I'm discovering that anything is possible. Tracking shows my dizzy at the UPS store for my pick up. Will get it in next week and find out more.

I'm hoping that the new unit will remove at least one wild card on the table. However, I'm quickly finding out that good ol Murphy has a full on Nelson headlock on my happy A$$ 24/7.

On a positive note, not having the 911 around forced me to rebuild the front end on our 95 GMC K1500. It now no longer sounds like the Black Pearl driving down the road.

[timmy2]

When you go to install the new dizzy, make sure you are on TDC for cylinder 1 and not 4.

Always good to have another vehicle in good shape.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by timmy2

When you go to install the new dizzy, make sure you are on TDC for cylinder 1 and not 4.

Always good to have another vehicle in good shape.

Yeah, it is but with 275,500 on the odom, I'm dodging the perverbial mechanical bullet on the GMC too

[bugstrider]

It arrived........ Yippie!




CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!




WTF????

In reviewing my post, I have no idea where this picture came from) I've never owned an android phone...... Too funny

Someone's post mysteriously had a picture of a distributor imported. That's even funnier.

[bugstrider]

Nothing to report......

The shop has had higher priority cars than mine.....:-(

[timmy2]

Time for a new shop....
It is a 1/2 hour job at most to put in the distributor. Faster if you actually know the engine is on TDC of cylinder 1.

[bugstrider]

I was awondeing, but since I am still learning and they put up with my stupid questions, I just smile and poke around. I might pop in and "assist" on my next series of days off. I curious to see if the unusual r/side engine sounds are still there.

On a side note, a letter showed up at the local office addressed to me from a gentleman that somehow heard I was an enthusiast on older P-cars. He has 3 1974 914's he wants to sell because he is downsizing.

[Uncle Enzo]

There has to be a local Pelican who can help you out. This is really a very easy job.

[CountD]

Originally Posted by timmy2

Time for a new shop....
It is a 1/2 hour job at most to put in the distributor. Faster if you actually know the engine is on TDC of cylinder 1.

I second this.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by silverc4s

If the timing jumped a tooth on a cam, I don't thing waiting 30 minutes would make any difference. Heat related sounds more like a bad ignition coil, or some CIS malady to me.

Do you have a CD Ignition box? Can you hear it humming?

Wow, I totally answered that question wrong. Yes, the CD ignition box hums as it should. Just shows how observant I am/am not. I was thinking along the line of a different power source like one of the aftermarket units. Which I've discovered doesn't exist for this car.

Although the shop helping with this issue said there is a lack of spark. However it is prior to the new distributor being installed.

[bugstrider]

Originally Posted by Uncle Enzo

There has to be a local Pelican who can help you out. This is really a very easy job.

I'm going to check around

[bugstrider]

In reading several post regarding the 78 SC, it seems there is an unusually high percentage that have developed a mysterious cut-out issue and different speeds and RPMs. Several causes can be attributed to faulty relays, CDI modules, corroded connectors, or fuel pumps. Is this normal for these cars?

I ask because after a distributor replacement, ours too has the cut-out virus. New wire set, CDI and coil swapped out of a good running car seems to make no difference.

What could we be missing????

[johnsjmc]

The US cars used a rev limiter relay to cut the fuel pump power. (behind the dash drivers side ).ROW cars used a rev limiting rotor in the distributor. Being 35 yrs old any electrical relay could be acting up. If you find it and disconnect or bypass it and you fix the cut out problem then remember you have NO rev limiter anymore. Replace it or maybe use the euro(ROW) rev limiter ignition rotor. (I think the 3.0 early turbo also used the rotor)

[bugstrider]

Thanks, the replacement distributor did have the rev limiter rotor you mentioned.


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[johnsjmc]

Originally Posted by bugstrider

Thanks, the replacement distributor did have the rev limiter rotor you mentioned.


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Then if you have a US spec NOT a ROW euro car then you also have a fuel pump cut off relay designed to limit revs located behind the dash. It could be causing a cut off at a wrong RPM as it is 35 yrs old. Seen it doing it at least once in an 80SC

[bugstrider]

Hey everyone,

Happy day to report on the great 78SC mystery... After all this time of swapping components, changing wires, distributors, wire harness, etc...

The small item causing all this hesitation/stumble/cut-out turned out to be the result of a failing/failed EGR valve. The last place I would have thought to be the cause..... Kinda found by mistake.

Took it for a short test drive. Pulls strong and was like visiting an old friend.

Cheers


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