Crappy idle, misfire on one cylinder.

[DarrenX33]

Originally Posted by L78steve

If the distributor was run on a Sun machine and it tested good you can rule the Dist. out as being the problem, points included.

That is how Jerry does them, which is why I went with him. And I share your sentiment.

[cook_dw]

Never assume.. You will make an ass out of....... Well you get the point.


As the great President Reagan once said. Trust but verify.

[tunes]

Change the coil. This sounds like a friend's car last year that suddenly wouldn't run. It had a weak spark and would try to start. The culprit was the coil.

[DarrenX33]

Originally Posted by tunes

Change the coil. This sounds like a friend's car last year that suddenly wouldn't run. It had a weak spark and would try to start. The culprit was the coil.

I do have another here, but it doesn't seem to help.

[Lee Stewart]

Would the engine experience the same symptoms if either the lifter got stuck or a valve spring broke?

[DarrenX33]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Would the engine experience the same symptoms if either the lifter got stuck or a valve spring broke?

Problem is I have no, or very little spark on two. Not sure how those would factor in...

[Tommy]

Originally Posted by DarrenX33

Problem is I have no, or very little spark on two. Not sure how those would factor in...

I reread first post. No spark until 1500 rpm then it is still weak? If all parts including coil have been replaced I would just drop in another distributor and see what that does.


Tommy

[bbbentley]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Would the engine experience the same symptoms if either the lifter got stuck or a valve spring broke?

I would hope and think the OP has hooked up a vacuum gauge and ruled out mechanical problems before narrowing it down to electrical? But good point to mention, should this not be the case? And, as a side note, mechanical lifters don’t “stick”. I guess I am assuming it is a 69 Z he is working on even though it was not stated. And, assuming a mechanical cam, as well.

[Tommy]

I would do a compression test and pull the valve cover. A stuck valve or hole burned in a valve will cause an engine to act this way. Also, by pulling the valve cover it is possible to find a broken rocker arm or a push rod has bent or come out of the bore (usually due to the rocker arm...


Tommy

[427_Rat]

If one lobe on the distributor cam (for #2 cyl.) was wore down, might prevent spark at low RPM and allow a weak spark at higher RPM when points "bounce"...possibly? Just trying to think what would tie it to only #2 cyl. spark. You might check clearance of points on each distributor cam lobe or at least #2 cyl. and a couple others to see if any variation is apparent?