Engine running rough

Ricosan

Ricosan

Senior Member
Hey Guys,
I have a 1933 woodie with Mallory electronic ignition. I just bought the car about 2 months ago after a full restoration. According to the story, the car was finished around 2008 and then went into storage until recently when it was placed on the market. It has 31 miles on the odometer.

The car has lots of problems. I am attempting to tackle them one by one.

Problem: engine starts fine and idles roughly as it has a healthy cam. I don’t know the specs. The engine was built by H&H engine builders. It has 2 carbs.
After driving for a mile or so, it begins to misfire and has very little power. The coil heats up too hot to touch. Spark plugs are sooty.

Any idea what the cause could be?

Richard
 

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That is one beautiful engine ya got there! You really should start another thread about this woodie wagon with some good photos. Folks her enjoy them. I am also a big fan of the bosch blue coil. My flathead fords just love those things. You are in the right place to get your engine problems sorted out. Now, about those woodie pics......
 
Thanks for the kind words. I’m still working on trying to get things sorted out. Apparently the car was never driven to make sure everything worked as it should. It had been driven less than 11 miles when I took possession in January.

I have a ballast resistor between the ignition switch and the coil. I visited several car parts stores but none had the Bosch blue. I installed a new coil ( not sure of OHMS but the same result. It feels like it is shorting out for just a half second then pops back to life. It doesn’t want to take gas. This occurs after a couple of miles of driving.

Richard
 
Maybe there is a serious current leak through the condenser, causing the coil to overheat. Try replacing the condenser. Cheap and easy, but there are serious quality problems with condensers on the market now. Tubman on this board makes one that is extremely reliable, but can be a problem to mount, because it is larger than stock.
 
After sitting in storage since 2008, the condenser is certainly suspect! I can see a condenser attached to the side of the distributor. It’s an electronic distributor. I’m going to take the distributor out tomorrow morning. I don’t know if it has points or not. I will replace the condenser and check condition of points.
Richard
 
And it IS 12 volts right? As your wagon isn't bone stock, how bout' a Tubman condensor mounted on the side of the distributor? As I recall, they are a handsome looking brass cased unit. But if you're like me we get itchy to get to the bottom of the problem. Maybe someone can recomend an Echlin condensor from Napa. And of course is it electronic or points?
 
Hey GB, I’m hoping that the condenser that’s currently attached to the side of the Mallory electronic ignition located at the front of the crankshaft has some kind of ID numbers on it.
I’ll send some pics when I get it out.
Richard
 
Ok, but in re-reading your posts it's quite clear that you have a mallory electroning distributor which is obviously 12 volts. Now somebody way smarter than me has to advise you. I have taught myself the basics of the points/condenser type ignition system, but know little to nothing about the modern style of ignition. In fact I have always thought that electronic ignition didn't use points or condensors.
 
There are no points in an electronic dist.Mallory electronic dist do not use condensers.At least mine didn't.To me the coil is the problem.The Blue Bosch coil recommended should take care of the problem.
 
See my posts on "Ricosan"'s other posts. I think he has a regular points distributor. Mallory (or Holley these days) seemed to have used the same part # on two completely different distributors.
 
I guess he needs to pop off the dizzy cap to confirm so we don't keep on guessing.I'm thinking he has the small red anti current spike box that he thinks is the condenser.
 
Hey Guys,

I noticed that there are two wires attached to the negative post on the coil. I am going to take one of those wires off and see if this helps the situation.
I was able to remove the distributor yesterday and here are some photos.

Richard
 

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Hey Guys,

Well, I’m learning a lot here. Yes, it’s not an “electronic “ distributor. It’s just a very small and light weight with a crab style cap. Plan to re-install the non electronic dual points distributor tomorrow and start checking the wires on the negative side of the coil.

I really like this distributor, after having to deal with with the helmet distributor in my previous car.
GB, I think one of those wires on the negative side of the coil may go to the tachometer.

Richard
 
Yes, that makes sense that the extra wire would go to the tach. Sounds like you are on the correct path, with the coil. I was thinking that with the car sitting so long, maybe the carbs could be gummed up inside.
Good luck. Beautiful looking ride.
 
Hey Guys,

Reinstalled the distributor this morning and installed new plugs. Engine won’t start. It tries but just can’t quite get going.
No problem starting before I removed the distributor and reinstalled. I was careful not to rotate the assembly while I had it out. I’m not sure it’s back exactly in the same position as it was before I removed it.
Are these distributors adjustable by rotating?

Rich
 
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