Last weekend I tried to start up my 59 Fuelie for the first time since last October. It was nice and sunny in Chicago, but only about 43 degrees. After about 6 attempts of cranking for about 20-30 seconds each, the engine finally turned over. After idling for about 5 minutes and as I was about to close the hood, I noticed a slight change in the sound - and then the distributor cap exploded under the ignition shielding. When I removed the shielding, the cap and rotor were in a bunch of pieces.
As far as I can tell, the distributor is fine (I had it rebuilt about 2 1/2 years ago). I don't know if the cap became loose, or if one of the springs on the centrifugal weights broke/came off. The car ran great all last summer, and has not been touched since I put it away for the winter. Now I am in need of a correct distributor cap (preferably a NOS), rotor, and spring kit. Where is the best place to get those items. I see a NOS one is on ebay now for about $130, and Chicago Corvette Supply purportedly sells one for about $60. I presume the $60 one is a reproduction.
BTW, I followed a thread a few weeks back where Jerry Bramlett talked about some technique using a can of ether to start a cold Rochester FI unit. Would Jerry or someone else explain the circumstances and process in detail for me. I am afraid all that cranking necessary to start my car in cold conditions like that can't be too good for the engine. Thanks. - Kevin
As far as I can tell, the distributor is fine (I had it rebuilt about 2 1/2 years ago). I don't know if the cap became loose, or if one of the springs on the centrifugal weights broke/came off. The car ran great all last summer, and has not been touched since I put it away for the winter. Now I am in need of a correct distributor cap (preferably a NOS), rotor, and spring kit. Where is the best place to get those items. I see a NOS one is on ebay now for about $130, and Chicago Corvette Supply purportedly sells one for about $60. I presume the $60 one is a reproduction.
BTW, I followed a thread a few weeks back where Jerry Bramlett talked about some technique using a can of ether to start a cold Rochester FI unit. Would Jerry or someone else explain the circumstances and process in detail for me. I am afraid all that cranking necessary to start my car in cold conditions like that can't be too good for the engine. Thanks. - Kevin
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