Starting problems

[Ron R.]

Just replaced the starter, now the problem is cyclinders numbers 3 and 7 are not firing properly. I can get the engine started with starting fuel but runs rough and backfires because 3 and 7 are not firing consistently. I reset the timing, so that shouldn't be the problem. Any suggestions is appreciated.

Ron

[Stuart F.]

Re: Starting problems

Don't see a correlation between changing the starter and the no.3 and no.7 cylinders, unless you disconnected them in the course of your starter work. Only suggestion would be to make sure your wires didn't get crossed, specially at the distributor.

Stu Fox

[Ron R.]

Re: Starting problems

Double checked all wires, all wires in proper order. I just wonder if I could have a faulty dist.

[Michael G.]

Re: Starting problems

This would be a wild guess, but if all the cylinders worked before you changed the starter, the first thing I'd do would be to clean and re-tighten all the the electrical attachments to the solenoid, as well as the ground cable. Can't hurt.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Starting problems

Ron,

Don't rule out the possibility there are two problems, the starter and now the cylinders. Pull the plugs on those cylinders and see if they are gas fouled, if so they will need to be cleaned or replaced and then ohm out the plug wires at those cylinders.

[Ron R.]

Re: Starting problems

Pulled out #7 plug and it was sort of soot coverered, cleaned it and put it back in. Let me give a little history on the situation, I purchased a stock dist from local auto store last year, has never ran good since, had problem with #'s 1 and 8 after installing the dist, just reset the timing over the weekend and #'s 1 and 8 seem to be better but now #3 and 7 are the ones mis firing. Could it be I have a defective dist.

Ron

[Timothy B.]

Re: Starting problems

Without seeing it saying it's a defective distributor is just a guess. There is not to much to these old distributors, if you are sure it's installed correctly check carefully the secondary ignition components like points,condenser, rotor, cap and wires. Cylinders #8 and 4 fire one after another so make sure the wires are routed good and are not leaking causing misfire. How old are the wires?

If your not good troubleshooting, find a shop with a oscilloscope that can help out.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Starting problems

When you are experiencing the cylinder misfires, is your top ignition shield on and does it have the insulator inside?

Just a wild idea.

Stu Fox

[Ron R.]

Re: Starting problems

This is a radio delete car, the wires are fairly new inexpensive wires. Thinking about trying my old Mallory dual point dist as test to rule out the dist.

[Dale M.]

Re: Starting problems

If the problem is #8 & #4, any chance that these two wires are crossed up in the dist. cap? This would put the timing off for these 2 cylinders. Maybe the ends of these wires got messed up with the new distributor cap? You can see that I am guessing. Good Luck.