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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67 |
It's been a long time since I've been on this forum but that's mostly because I haven't had time to play with my car. With the day off today I decided to remedy that absence from the old girl. After filling up the tires I cranked the motor and amazingly it turned over and started the first crank. (Last time it was started was last November.). I idled the car for about 10 minutes and then I decided to take it for a short drive. It hasn't been on the road in nearly two years. The car ran for about 5 minutes driving down the road and then just lost power and died. If I would wait two or three minutes I could get the engine running for a minute or so but then it would die. I'm guessing a fuel problem. The car has a Stewart vacuum fuel system that has always seemed to work well. So I'm weighing digging into that vs an electrical issue. I still have the original type coil and so wondering if that could explain the engine running great for about 15 minutes and the dying but able to restart and run Afro a minute or so before dying. Where would you experts look first?
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
I would work on the fuel first. Disconnect the line from the carburetor as it enters. Place a cup or container under the line and turn on the fuel. See how much comes out before it is empty. Reconnect the line, start the engine and see how long it runs. Second, check the spark. As soon as it dies, have someone turn the engine over and short a plug wire to ground. Nice bright blue spark? If no good spark, switch out the coil with a modern 6-volt unit. One of those tests should identify either coil or vacuum tank.  
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 814 Likes: 1
ChatMaster - 750
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ChatMaster - 750
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 814 Likes: 1 |
Dansker, when it won't start; pull a plug wire off and hold the end next to the engine block and have someone try to start it. You should have a blue spark jump to the engine block. If you have that then look at the fuel supply. Fuel bowl , filter if you have one etc. If no spark then you know your problem is electrical. Good luck.
Steve
'25 Superior "K", '79 Corvette , '72 Corvette LT-1 & 1965 Corvette Coupe
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67 |
Thanks Ray and Steve. I was thinking trying fuel issues first so that helped me make up my mind.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67 |
After experimenting today I think I'm going to install a modern coil. Since the wiring set up with the original coil and the new one is going to be a bit different I was wondering if someone could point me in the direction of some instructions. In particular I'm wondering how to wire the condenser.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1
Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
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Technical Advisor ChatMaster - 10,000
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,379 Likes: 1 |
The terminal (wire) on the condenser is connected to the wire going to the timer (distributor). The body of the condenser is connected to ground.
RAY Chevradioman http://www.vccacolumbiariverregion.org/1925 Superior K Roadster 1928 Convertible, Sport, Cabriolet 1933 Eagle, Coupe 1941 Master Deluxe 5-Passenger Coupe 1950 Styleline Deluxe 4-Door Sedan 1950 Styleline Deluxe Convertible 2002 Pontiac, Montana, Passenger Van 2014 Impala, 4-Door Sedan, White Diamond, LTZ 2017 Silverado, Double Cab, Z71, 4X4, White, Standard Bed, LTZ If you need a shoulder to cry on, pull off to the side of the road. Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67
Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 67 |
Thanks Ray. My chief concern was getting a good ground since there's no mounting point on the distributor like there was in the good old new old days.
I'll play around.
Thanks again.
Terry
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