breaking up

[T. Cap]

I've got a '61 with the 283/230hp base engine. the car has been running rich and breaking up (lossing power, hesitating) on rides. I've checked ideal adjustment and fuel mixture and this did not correct the problem. Any ideas?

[Tom H.]

Re: breaking up

Could be a number of things. Start with basics. Fuel filter, plug wires, points, etc.

[T. Cap]

Re: breaking up

what should I look for in the plug wires?

[Albert P.]

Re: breaking up

If the plugs are old,replace them first

[T. Cap]

Re: breaking up

plugs are only 2 years old. plug wires are much older.

[Tom H.]

Re: breaking up

If the wires are old and brittle, I'd replace them. Look for burns or cracks in the wires. Pull one out of the distributor and make sure the ends aren't all corroded. You can surely tell if they are junk with a good visual inspection.

[Mike E.]

Re: breaking up

Try running the car in a dark garage--you may be able to see spark jump from the plug wire boot to the exhaust manifold or some other nearby ground. That also will help you determine their condition.

[Greg S.]

Re: breaking up

I had a similiar experience. New plugs in my 62 340 made the car run like new. Plugs tend to foul easily since we don't tend to drive the car as needed to keep the plugs from fouling.

[T. Cap]

Re: breaking up

i ran the car lastnight and looked for arcing. and there it was...i'v got arcing between the positive and negitive posts on the coil to the middle of the coil. I tried to block it by putting rubber around the center of the coil, also tried around the two posts. but the arcing was still coming thru small gaps. should the coil be replaced?

[Verle R.]

Re: breaking up

Can you see a crack or cracks in the coil where the coil wire fits? If not, I expect the problems are spark plug wires and coil wire.

At least replace the coil wire with a new one and see if that stops the arcing. Maybe with some dielectric grease on the outside of the coil wire post.

Verle