|
Ignition problems
While out tooling around the other day my baby up and died on me on the highway. Prior to the engine cutting out it felt like the car it was driving into a strong wind, but it was a calm day. I pushed the clutch in and the engine idled just fine, and the hesitation feeling disappeared. Then without notice the engine cut out. After having it towed home I removed the distributor cap, turned the motor over, and noticed that the distributor was not turning. I’m not exactly sure as to where to start troubleshooting. Timing chain, cam, or distributor, any thoughts on where to begin are very welcome. The Engine particulars are listed below.
351 Windsor with Cleveland heads MSD Distributor and coil. |
Pull the distributor, check the gear and shear pin first. This has been discussed at length numerous times. Do a search regarding distributor gears.
Rick |
Pull all the plugs to unload compression. Remove the distributor and inspect the distributor gear for cut out teeth. Inspect the cam gear teeth with a light down the distributor hole while some one turns over the motor or turn it by hand.
Hopeully the distributor gear is all that's wiped and the rest is ok. Remember that the distributor gear takes all the force of spinning the oil pump and hi flow pumps take more power. If the chain had broken or sprocket came loose you would not have been able to turn over the motor without bending valves. Replace the distributor gear with one that is appropriate for your type of cam (hardness of the cam teeth). Check the cam gear teeth for wear or chips. Check the oil pump drive rod to be sure it is not rounded off by the distributor shaft. Remove the pan and clean out any chips or dust that might damage the oil pump. Replace the oil filter. Find the compression stroke for cyl. #1 with your finger over the spark plug hole - stop the crank at TDC on the Crank pointer - point the rotor button near the #1 plug wire post - insert the distributor and see if the rotor still points at the #1 post - if not insert the distrib. in again at a little further rotation until it is close to pointing to the proper cyl. Loosely tighten the distr. clamp until you final set the timing while running. Watch the oil pressure like a hawk for a while. Good luck, tm |
| All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:36 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
The representations expressed are the representations and opinions of the clubcobra.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Shelby American, any other replica manufacturer, Ford Motor Company. This website has been planned and developed by clubcobra.com and its forum members and should not be construed as being endorsed by Ford Motor Company, or Shelby American or any other manufacturer unless expressly noted by that entity. "Cobra" and the Cobra logo are registered trademarks for Ford Motor Co., Inc. clubcobra.com forum members agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s). Thank you for visiting clubcobra.com. For full policy documentation refer to the following link: