Help with 72 911T??

[Skip Newsom]

I bought a stock '72' 911T targa that had been sitting for 2-3 years in a garage. It only had 82K on it, needs carpet & the Top recovered.
Surprise, surprise, I had to have it brought to me on a flat bed because it wouldn't start.
After studying a Haynes manual, reading many threads and printing out quite a bit of info from Pelican, here is what I've done/replaced:
Changed oil, drained/replaced fuel, set valves, checked points, removed & Berryman B-12ed the injection pump (it works great now, all pistons move freely as well as the rack), new plugs, wires, and cap. I checked compression (cold) it came out 150-175 PSI (most at 160-165), replaced the injectors, replaced the air filter. Replaced the air filter housing (thanks Bobby!) and set the timing.
Now, here's where I need help!
I got it running on Monday the 23rd & took it out to run it, re-seat the rings, and loosen every thing up. It ran OK except there is a flat spot at about 3500-4500 RPM and it was popping through the stacks at idle. I know the valves are set correctly and the timing is set to 5 degrees ATDC.
After about 120 miles of good fun on back roads and the freeway. (I had it up to 85-90 at one point and it was still pulling well)
I came home, got my wife, and took her out to lunch in it.
All was well until we got about 10 miles from home on the way back. I took off from a stop sign and wound it up to about 3500 RPM and then the motor nearly cut out. There was quite a bit of dark smoke and back firing.
It ran OK at low RPMs and I limped home. It would not hold 60 in top gear without cutting in and out really bad.
After we got home I shut it down and let it cool awhile, it would start right up but wouldn't rev very high with out cutting out...
I noticed that the fuel pump is making odd noises when I turn on the ignition switch without starting the motor instead of the even hum I've heard before. I now suspect it is giving up after 30 years. I've got a new one now (not yet installed) along with a new gas filter.
I also looked in the tank through the fuel gage sending unit hole and see there is some deposits on the bottom of the tank and the outlet filter screen is pretty clogged. So I'm going to pull the tank and have it cleaned and lined.

Tonight, I checked the fuel flow by putting a gas line on the outlet of the filter & turning on the ignition, it pumped close to a quart in 15 seconds. I pulled & cleaned the plugs, all were black with soot, and checked to make sure they spark, they do. I also checked to ensure the belt is still on the injector gear and cam gear, it is...
I can't get it to even think about starting! it cranks great and smells like fuel but won't start
With all the great knowledge out there, what should I do and check next???

[Early_S_Man]

Skip,

Congrats on getting one of the best early cars ... that still had the spirit of F. Piech and the 906, 908, and 917 under the deck lid!

It sounds like you have addressed most basic fuel problems.

Now, on to electrical issues ...

Clean your battery terminals, connectors, ground cable connections at the batteries, and transaxle-to-body ground strap. Remove and clean ALL of the connections at the CDI-unit, distributor and coil. Use vinegar on all of the 1/4" Faston connectors for five minutes, then rinse with distilled water and finally with 90% isopropyl alcohol. Any loose female Faston connectors should be crimped at the sides ... slightly, but don't close the gaps completely. In addition, clean both of the 14-pin connectors at the relay/fuse/CDI panel ... with isopropyl alcohol, Q-tips and pipe cleaners.

I suggest a new set of points, and a thorough clean & lube for the distributor ... and as a followup, check the advance durve from 1000 rpm to 6000 rpm. The following thread has complete specs for your distributor:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5432&highlight=distributor+lube

The following thread has info on CDI-unit testing and troublshooting :

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=82180

Good luck!

[BK911]

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on troubleshooting. One thing I noticed was you set timing at 5 ATDC. I assume at idle? You want to set it with the vacuum line disconnected to <38 degrees BTDC at 6k rpm's. Also print out the MFI check measure and adjust manual.

Have fun!
BK

[Skip Newsom]

Thanks gents! I'll go back through and check everything including the injector timing. I'm just having trouble understading why it would suddenly quit running if I have fuel, spark, and compression. I did buy a new set of points and will put them in too. Great thread on the distributor an CDI!!
I also bought a Pertronics set up for it, any feed back on them verses points?
I've had a '67' bug since I was 19 (please don't kick me out Wayne!) and I've adjusted the valves, timing and points soo many times that I dream about it... Seems like not needing to worry about getting the dwell just right would be delightful.
This is my first 911, driving it last Monday was incredible! now having it not run is torture!!!

[Cornpanzer]

Welcome aboard Skip from one 67 Bug owner to another. . I just got my 70 S last month. Once you get the problems worked out you will be in love with the 911. I would follow all of Warrens tips above, he is a wealth of info on these new cars. Let us know what you find