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Hi Everyone,
I have been fighting a nagging problem lately involving my MSD Box, Wiring and/or my Carb. The engine would want to run, but just couldn't seem to get going. I had checked and set the timing many times and had my work double-checked by others. I had checked for fuel, spark and air and all seem to be right with the world. However, she still would not fire. After the second week of no ignition, I decided to scrap the wiring a had and redo every wire and double-check every switch with a meter all over again. I had two very helpful, knowledgeable people with me also working on the problem. One who has already built one A&C Cobra.
The problem was discovered:
The Lucas Ignition switch was showing keyed positive power "Run" on the second position when coming from "Off" (First position). That is what is supposed to happen, Cool. However, after turning the key to the third position "Start" and then back to the second position "Run" there was no power. The Switch was bad! I had been fooled because when I had previously tested the switch I had only tested the switch coming from the off position.
After discovering this issue, we went down to Advance Auto and grabbed a generic 68 Ford mustang 4 post ignition. It took about ten minutes to wire it up. What happened next is hard to explain. It is only shadowed by the birth of my daughter and my marriage to my wife (Well, I'm sure there are other things but they escape me at this moment).
Pop, pop, pop......Pop, Pop..... Nothing. RRRRRRRRRRROARRRRRR!!!!, Blub, Blub, Blub..... Angels wept, Champagne fell from the heavens. Pat, Jeff and myself stood looking at the motor in a moment of awe. I know for a lot of you this is a feeling which you have become accustom too. For me it was a near religious experience. I had visions of the up and coming summer. Cruising along stretches of the local expressways and coastal lake roads. I was laughing like a school girl and then my wife opened the door to the garage. I thought I was in trouble. We have a six month old and it was about eight thirty at night. Too my surprise, she was smiling ear to ear as well. When I finally turned off the engine she told me that everything on the garage side of the house was shaking. Immediately after I was asked by her "When will it be done?!". I cannot wait for summer.
Thanks to all for their advice on the problem. This is a great place for Cobra owners and just good people.
....and FE owners around the globe paused and looked to the heavens. I was wondering what that bright shining star was. Another FE is reborn. Congratulations!
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"There are 10 types of people out there....the ones that understand binary and the zeros that don't."
Location: Broken Arrow. OK ( South Tulsa), USA,
OK
Cobra Make, Engine: 66 COBRA FE 427 /4SP. (HCS Coupe w/ 408 Stroker and TKO 600 -sold)
Posts: 5,595
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Congrats Mike.
I have been following your thread but I didn't have anything to suggest beyond our other members comments. I too have a 428 CJ with a toploader and 3.50 gears. However, my cam is a solid lifter Crane 572 lift and 2.32 dur and it does just fine on the street. It also does pretty good at the track. I just finished pulling off my 2 X 4 setup and putting a single "original" Cobra alum 4 bbl manifold back on last night. I won't be able to fire mine up until I receive my rear manifold vent from Enzo possibly today or Friday.
I know the sound you were describing and it is like nothing else. What a wonderful rumpty rump an FE engine makes. Have fun and be safe.
Clois Harlan
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Oh, I'll be safe. I think after hearing that FE, I'm scared Sh!tless! As far as the problem with starting, it seems that is always the simple things that hold us back.
Mike,
Glad you found it. Here's a similar story for you with same symptoms:
After a short in the wiring under the dash of my truck caused a little smoke it seemed to have the same problems. When trying to find the problem I was using a remote starter switch under the hood. All seemed well until I tried to start it from the dash. Figured a wire fried somewhere but I couldn't find it. Replaced the whole harness with a new painless unit and had the same problem. Replaced the switch and all was well in the world.
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Remember, It's never too early to start beefing up your obituary.
It sounds like either of two problems: 1. Electrical and 2. Vacuum leak.
The electrical problem sounds like you are getting electric power to the coil only while the ignition switch is turned to "start". That means you have a wiring problem where you are not getting any power to the ignition coil during regular "on" on the ign. switch. So you need to check all the connections and routing to and from the MSD box.
The second problem sounds almost like there is a plug missing from one of the port openings on the intake manifold, leaving you with a mixture that will not fire. Check all plugs and hoses on the manifild and on the back of the carburetor base. You may not have sufficient vacuum to fire the engine.
It Is Alive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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