Now it won't start--again - Page 2

keithw · #21 (**permalink**) 10-11-2003, 01:15 PM

Clois,

When my 428 MSD equipped Cobra had the same problem, it was the mag pickup. You might check the pickup wiring cable as I know you replaced it recently.

You better be at Run&Gun!! Worst case we'll push start you for three days. Bet George Anderson Could fix it!

See you next week. Got the new 641HP SBC engine in the white Cobra but R&G will be my first drive with it. My goal will be to not crash.

Keith

aumoore · #22 (**permalink**) 10-11-2003, 01:39 PM

Clois
Does the car start fine when cold? If so I would say it is not the ignition or it may be in the Distributor. My son's Mazda MX3 had a strange problem where it would not run after it got hot. Found that a lot of electronic distributors have a part that can go bad and not fire when hot. Replaced the distributor and it runs fine.

If you have to push start the car maybe you have the hot lead on the box hooked up to a wire that drops power during starting as some accessories are cut off during starting to give all available power to the starter.

The coil could be bad and when it gets hot it malfunctions.

My $0.02??

Clois Harlan · #23 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 03:36 AM

Thanks everyone for your input and here is what I found out yesterday.

My MSD boxes are good (#2 and #3), both tested at 100% at the speed shop.

When I tested my battery it had at least one dead cell and was under warranty at O'Reilly's. I run a 1000 AMP Motorcraft battery and was putting out only 10.5 volts before a load was put on it with a load it went down to 8.9 volts and would require more than 30 mins to recharge.

I also noticed that my plugs were wet after a run, so I pulled the tops off the carbs and checked the floats again. I had apparantly changed the primary float level when I set secondary bend. Spec's call for a 7/16" float level with the air horn upside down (mine had changed to less than a 1/4". In the hanging position mine measured 15/16" which was ok. I didn't recheck the secondary float postition after I set the float height with the floats hanging down.

By the way I have all circuits grounded w/ 00 gauge that grounds to the inside frame and then to the engine block,

I haven't got everything back together yet but I will in about an hour and I will try everything out as soon as the wife and neighbors wakes up.

Clois

RICK LAKE · #24 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 06:02 AM

Clois H Clois the car was saving itself for the R&G. It just wanted some rest.

Gald you fixed it, see you and company in a couple of days. Lew has the blender tuned up.??

O boy is this going to be GREAT!!!!

Have a safe trip, see you Weds. Rick Lake

keithw · #25 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 07:01 AM

Clois,

Glad to see that you found the problem. Don't know exactly when Jay and I will get on the road Wednesday. Have to stop by Keith Craft in Plano and load the white car up. We'll call you and try to meet somewhere along the way.

Keith

Clois Harlan · #26 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 09:43 AM

After a good test drive and a re-check of timing and idle after I got back I shut the engine off. It re-fired immediately so I sut it down and waited about 15 minutes and it fired right up. I think everything is ok. Not sure wheather the problem was the floats or the battery but all seems to be well now.

I will go get my trailer from storage tomorrow and load up all the esentials and then load my car on Tuesday to leave for Run and Gun on Wednesday. I am ready!

Thanks to everyone who pitched ideas to me.

Clois

wilf leek · #27 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 12:58 PM

Clois - the MSD will work with low battery voltage, but probably erratically if you had a cell out. Sounds like you have found the problem. have fun.

Slow Dawg · #28 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 07:12 PM

Hey Clois, glad you got the bugs "fingered out." I was going to give you a couple of suggestions. One was borrowing Bryans silver car, but I didn't know if you could handle a poked and stroked small block windy-sore. The other was asking Bryan if you could borrow Barry and myself to be your push crew, oops, I mean PIT crew. Of course, all expenses paid on your part.

Also, when you stopped in the shop about about 4 weeks ago, was that your daughter that was with you? Just curious.

Ron

Clois Harlan · #29 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 07:09 AM

Ron,

No, that wasn't my daughter, I am not that old.
My wife paid you to say that, didn't she?

Hey Ron the brake pedals that Barry put the Z bend in for me work great. I think that change should be converted over to the production line. You should see the shifter I had Mark at Toploader Heaven make for me. I denfinitely won't be busting my knuckles on my dash at Run and Gun. I will absolutely post some pictures tonight.

Clois

Slow Dawg · #30 (**permalink**) 10-13-2003, 07:30 PM

Yeah, I knew who it was. I was trying to get a good laugh out of her. Gotta keep 'em happy. I have to do a lot of buttering up on the wife to keep her in a good mood whenever I would go to Carlisle or a delivery that takes more than one day. Good luck in St. Louis.

leslie.files · #31 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 03:21 PM

It may be that your ignition switch is cutting the power to coil while cranking. Check the switch both cranking and not to see if it interupts the juice. just a thought.

leslie.files · #32 (**permalink**) 10-14-2003, 03:24 PM

OOPS, Sorry I guess that I need to read all of the thread before I reply. Later