Ok guys... my 1970 442 Olds w/455 ci motor has erratic number 1 spark. Distributor's fine, points fine, coils new, wiring seems to be good, farafe is telling me that it's the distributor but I don't think so. Any thoughts?
2007-09-12 11:39:15 · 6 answers · asked by princessyumyum 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Sorry, I meant to type garage. I've had it in and the owner of the shop said those items were fine.
2007-09-12 12:30:49 · update #1
I'm going to have my significant other vote on this one - thanks for all the help, everyone!
2007-09-15 03:13:51 · update #2
The first question is, how do we "…know the distributor is fine"? It may look good, and appear to be tight, but if the distributor shaft is loose in the bushings and allows the distributor shaft to wobble, it can adversely affect the spark.
If the cam lobe for #1 has flattened some, it can cause a weak spark.
It is difficult to tell without either an ignition scope or an old style analog dwell meter.
In addition, a plug wire could easily be a cause for intermittient spark. To check without spending money, trade the wire with the #2 wire and see if the misfire moves to the number 2 cylinder.
Look VERY CAREFULY at the distributor cap for any sign of tracking between the electrical nipples inside and likewise the rotor, though the rotor would cause problems with all cylinders, not just one. Check also the outside of the cap, and also along the plug ceramic for signs of electrical tracking, evidence of a basic short circuit on the outside. It is easier for electricity to follow the outside of the plug, if there is a path than to jump that big air-gap across the plug.
2007-09-12 11:59:38 · answer #1 · answered by Ironhand 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Since it is only the number one cylinder you are having problems with it is not the distributer but could be the distributor cap. Next in line is the wire is it touching or very close to the engine? If touching could be damaged and at times arcing or if real close and is damaged could be arcing. If this happens most often in damp weather that is your problem. Insure the rotor is good also. Lastly could be a bad spark plug, unusual but not unheard of, if all else fails remove and look at it see if it is fouled, or carboned up a sign of possible fuel delivery problems to that cylinder. You have one heck of a classic there hope you get it fixed up.
2007-09-12 11:54:28 · answer #2 · answered by Pengy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the spark is erratic only on number one, it will be the cap, wire or plug. If the spark is erratic on all, look for a bad condenser or worn breaker plate bushings. This is what the points mount on and is hooked to the vacuum advance.
2007-09-12 11:50:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would start by replacing that spark plug. It may have been damaged in shipping or during installation. The next thing I would check is the compression. If #1 cylinder is too low, you may be misfiring
2007-09-12 11:45:59 · answer #4 · answered by jim 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
swap the wire with another and see if the miss goes to that cylinder , if not , replace the cap ( and rotor ,get in the habit of doing them as a set.)
2007-09-12 11:52:44 · answer #5 · answered by sterling m 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Recommend dielectric grease put on plug insulators to stop arc tracking.
2007-09-12 12:34:58 · answer #6 · answered by (A) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋