TR2/3/3A TR3 missing at high speed / load

Hey guys,

Long time no talk! Haven't been on the forum because I had been neglecting my 3 a bit since I picked up an Alfa GTV6 last summer. The 3 was getting jealous, so I've been getting in some nice roadtrips of late.

Today, on the way back down to NY from Rhode Island, I started experiencing some skipping at high speed/ load. Basically if I accelerated hard from 65-80 or so, the car started missing. I pulled over, verified I was getting fuel, checked spark plug leads and cap & rotor and didn't notice anything out of the ordinary. I have a pertronix installed.

I made it back fine, but I'm wondering what is going on. Any ideas on what I should check / what the problem could be?

Thanks in advance and here are some pics I took recently:




Cheers,
Gavin

First thing to check is your fuel filter (if you have one) or the pump float bowl/screen. When they start to get clogged, they can flow enough fuel for low loads, but not when there are higher fuel demands.

The required spark voltage goes up with load, while available voltage goes down with rpm. So I would be looking for anything that affects either one.

Given that I've had a lot of coil problems in the past few years, I would probably start by taking some quick resistance measurements of the coil & high tension leads. Maybe substitute a "known good" coil if you have one. Wouldn't hurt to change plugs either.

I've heard of similar problems being caused by a failing Pertronix module, so my next step might be to convert back to points (just to see what effect it has). My TR3 runs better with the Pertronix in the junk box.

I agree with Randall.... I had the same problem on my TR6. Installed a new coil and all is good now.

I have had the same issue on my TR3. I have had the Petronix fail twice like this. Installed points, new cap, rotor and leads and have not had any problems since.

Don

Sounds like an ignition problem to me as well. If the standard tune-up items don't help, I would swap in a coil.

I would recommend one of the non-Lucas coils sold by Advance Distributors. I had a Lucas Sport coil totally fail after only a year of driving, it went completely dead instantaneously though.

Hey I just recently have been having the same problem, even today as I drove the 3 to work. Just wanted to say thanks for ideas on how to take care of it.