Running like a bag of Spanners

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 2:31 pm

I have a Rover v8 with holley Carb and distributor with points in my stag.

Was running ok last month when I went out for a short run round the block.

Jumped in the car last night and she fired up no probs drove down to the petrol station about a mile away, filled up and she fired up again no problems.

Headed home about half way up road tried to accelarate when engine hit 3000rpm it died until revs got to 1500 and picked up again. Could not accelarate over 3000 rpm with out the car wanting to die.

Any ideas?

Post by **Rossco** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:46 pm

Could be a duff coil or the condenser starting to break down.

Fuel wise I'll have to pass as I know naff all about Holleys

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:53 pm

Got new coil, leads, dist cap, points, condensor and plugs already still doing the problem.

Fuel filter clear, fuel coming through ok by the looks of it, tried 2 different elec pumps both new

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 3:56 pm

Had exactly the same symptoms as you, engine would die at 3500 RPM and restart itself as the revs dropped.

Coil was the problem. If you repeat the exercise watch for the Tacho dropping to zero when engine dies which indicates a LT problem.

Important to match coil to distributor as all 12v coils are not the same.

What ignition system do you have, Distributor? ballasted supply? existing coil?

Kevin.

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:55 pm

I have a MAllory Distributor, twin points etc

Bought a coilf from Rimmer Brothers told them I had a Mallory distributor and they sent me a lovely shiny coil that cost about £60.

CastleMGBV8 · Post by **CastleMGBV8** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:55 pm

Stll thing it could be ignition,

Just do the test I suggested, accelerate until engine cuts out and quickly look at tacho, if it's dropped to zero then it's ignition.

Once established if it is ignition you can go through components one at a time.

Does the coil get very hot by any chance? also I believe there were some dud Mallory condensors.

Kevin.

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 8:58 pm

Will try this at the weekend.

Tacho does drop when revving hard

mgbv8 · Post by **mgbv8** » Thu Feb 19, 2009 10:08 pm

If the tacho drops you are losing the LT signal.
If you have a twin point Mallory make sure that the points wiring connections inside the dissy are clear of the dissy body.

I've just set up a twin point Mallory for a mate and one of the connectors was close to shorting out on the casing. Which it did once the engine got rocking and vibrating. Also make sure your condenser good and is fitted ok with a good connection either end.

Post by **Rossco** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 7:24 am

As MGBV8 says there's a small terminal post on the inside of the dual point which can short out.

Unless the coil is a Mallory coil I suspect it's not suitable. I used to be a Mallory dealer and always specified the correct Mallory coil.

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 8:37 am

Thanks, will check this later today.

Can you recommend a good Mallory dealer?

Post by **Rossco** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:28 am

Paul at V8 Tuner will sort you out.

Just another thought: You do have a ballast resistor in there as well don't you?

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:23 am

I do have a ballast resisitor probably the only bit I have not changed.

Will Paul be able to supply one?

Chris

Post by **Rossco** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:39 am

Yup Paul can sort that as well.

If on the unlikely chance he doesn't have one I still have some new ones.

Wee_chris · Post by **Wee_chris** » Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:41 am

Thanks will cal him later today