[Healeys] Missing under Load

[Price Lindsay]

Thanks Earl. Still trying to work through this. The old rotors/cap seemed to be fine. I will make sure the new configure is good as well. 

Price Lindsay

630-841-6300 Cell


Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 4, 2015, at 5:48 PM, Earl Kagna <kags at shaw.ca> wrote:
> 
> Price - been thinking about this and watching all the other posts.
> 
> Just now remembered a similar problem on a friend's BJ8 years ago.  He had the distributor re-bushed and somehow wound up with less clearance for the rotor to cap electrode - the Pertronix trigger wheel that fits under the rotor and raises it slightly added to the problem.  The rotors would fry pretty quickly.  The solution for us was to grind down the bakelite centre post in the distributor cap to restore the clearance, since we could'nt get anything but crappy replacement caps at the time.  Once we did that, the problem was solved - the car ran just fine.  Still is!
> 
> Only problem would be if you or anyone else ever fits a new cap and it starts all over again.
> 
> Also note that some rotors have been known to sit higher up on the distributor shaft - that's worth considering as well.
> 
> Your 'hot rotor' comment tweaked the memory.  I betcha that for whatever reason, that's your problem - at least worth checking out.  If you've got a new cap on the way, why not try messing with your old cap and see if that helps.  The other option would be to try points - the removal of the Pertronix's trigger wheel would maybe restore enough clearance to allow the car to run.  Just don't automatically conclude that the electronic ignition itself is at fault.
> 
> Further to David's and Bob's posts:  I have run a Pertronix in my tri-carb for close to 20 years with copper core plug wires and an original Lucas sports coil - approx. 40K miles - with no problems at all.  I have run the same type of wires and coil in my BJ8 for at least 100K miles on a Repco (which became Allison, which became Crane) electronic ignition with no problems at all.  I installed a 123 ignition (built into a Lucas distributor for esthetic reasons) upon completion of a recent restoration - new copper core wires, same old sports coil, and a new Lucas cap - no problem so far - only about 4K miles to date.
> 
> Haven't been passed by any McLarens or Ferraris yet - guess they couldn't catch me with all the hot shot ignition stuff!
> 
> Earl Kagna
> Victoria, B.C.
> BJ8, BT7 tri-carb
> 
> -----Original Message----- From: R. Price Lindsay
> Sent: Wednesday, June 03, 2015 6:24 PM
> To: Healey List ; Alan Seigrist ; Oudesluys
> Subject: [Healeys] Missing under Load
> 
> Took the BJ8 out today.  Changed the plug wire to #6 (there was a visible spark last night).  The car struggled big time  Had to change rotors every 3 miles in order to get the car home.  Driving along and all of a sudden backfire, black smoke, nothing.  Changed the rotor (it was noticeably hot) and got another 2 or 3 miles out of it.  Looked tonight in the dark and the visible spark from number 6 plug was not there.  Talked to Jeff with Advanced Distributors and he suggested it was plug wires.  Strongly suggested I install points instead of the Petronics.  At his suggestion, I checked the ohm reading on the plug wires and they checked out OK.  Still wondering if it could be bad gas, I did add a product called “Heat.” Supposed to absorb any water that may be in the gas tank.  Not much help, so far.
> 
> I’m waiting for the plug wires and distributor cap from Moss Motors to show up to install them.  Hope that helps but not really convinced it’s the solution.
> 
> Do you guys have any words of wisdom for me?
> 
> Price Lindsay
> 67 BJ8
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Support Team.Net http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation  $12.75
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> 
> Healeys at autox.team.net
> http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
> 
> Unsubscribe/Manage: http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/healeys/kags@shaw.ca
>