914 ignition problem

[yarin]

'72 2.0 with webers, stock ignition

Biggest problem: The engine cuts out randomly and won't restart. I can tell it's def not fuel, 100% ignition. All of a sudden it will just die, even idling. It will restart after I play with the wiring and distributor cap. I've got an order of parts coming including plugs, wires, cap, rotor, points, etc. Is there anything that I can try now before the parts arrive?

Second: One cylinder doesn't fire, pretty sure its ignition.

This is my first 914, the cap and rotor look fine to me. Maybe its the points? Or possibly the wires connecting the coil and whatnot?

I drove the car for a few minutes after bringing it home, floored it, the pedal stuck due to a bent throttle bracket and hit the rev limiter on the distributor rotor (saved my motor). After that the car wouldn't start, crank crank crank but no fire at all. After playing with the wiring, cap, it started but still dies randomly.

Thanks!

[Alfred1]

There's a ground wire inside the distributor near the points - make sure it not broken. Inspect the points and see if they are pitted or corroded at all. Also, you should consider replacing the points with a Pertronix or Compufire unit. They will help keep your timing steady.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

When it is in its "non working" state, see if you get +12V to the (+) side of the coil. If not, that points to the circuitry that supplies power to the coil.

--DD