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Crypt Car blew up today

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Tinster

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It was suggested I start a new thread on this topic.

The Crypt Car pretty much blew up today.
Not a clue what happened or where to begin
to look for the cause. Since Sunday morning
it would prety much start on demand. Shake,
rattle and roll with no low end idle but it
would start and remain running. 10 minutes
this morning.

Jeff Paltech has been e-mailing my tuning tips
for his refurbished carbs. I had gotten the idle
down to between 900 and 1,200 on a warm engine
but it would not hold constant.

After lunch, I had just started it in full choke
and it was at very high idle around 2,000 rpm.
I revved it a bit to see if the idle would drop any.
The engine suddenly quit almost like a knife cut it
out of the car. Now it will not even sputter. Just
grinds away with that awful sound of "you know it ain't
gonna kick over."

Since there is just one of me I can't even pull a
plug wire check to see it any spark is present while
I crank it. All electrical components are brand new.
Zero -0- miles driven on them. Electronic ignition
is from the PO. Everything else mine.

Any suggestions appreciated.

dale
 
[ QUOTE ]
The Crypt Car pretty much blew up today.
Not a clue what happened or where to begin
to look for the cause.
dale

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Dale,
You had me scared for a moment. To me, "blew up" means that a crankshaft, connecting rod, or piston broke & came out through the side of the block. Glad it isn't really "that" serious. I'm sure that you will get it going soon.
Regards,
D
 
That's awful! Hang in there and remember that it's only fuel, air, spark, and timing.

If the carbs weren't recently gone through, and if the car had been running until this event... I'd tell you to focus on an ignition fault as sudden, total death without warning tends to be electrical. However, you've got a lot of new parts to sort through. Take it one system at a time. Make sure you've got spark and that the static timing is close. Once you've got that, move on to the fuel system.

Walking away for a bit of fresh air might be in order for a while but hang in there, it will get better.
 
Dale,

Read your other post. Please don't hold the plug or the wire while trying to see if it sparks. Just lay it down on the block somewhere where the thing will ground and do no damage to the car or you. Sometimes you can hear the spark snapping away while cranking it over. Of course if you like the feeling one gets when electricity runs through your body by all means hold on to it. An even better trick is to ask someone you don't like to hold the plug. They will let you know pretty quick if it's sparking or not.
 
Like DK said remember that it's only fuel, air, spark, and timing. You can always try clamping a metal rod to ground nd somewhere and prop up the spark plug wire close to it and watch it as you crank to see if the spark jumps to the ground. Crude but sometimes thats what it takes when your working along unless you buy a remote starter. You could always ask your wife to crank it over as you are at the engine. Hang in there!!!
 
This definitly sounds like it's ignition related. Possibly a wire came loose from the harness that was just put in. See if you have voltage to the coil with the key on would be the first place to check. If you don't, then backtrack towards the ignition switch. If you do, see if you have dwell on the points when you crank it over. If the dwell is good, the look at the secondary part of the ignition system...rotor, cap (especially that carbon piece in the middle) and coil wire. I doubt all of the spark plug wires went bad at one shot.

Keep us informed.

Art
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The Crypt Car pretty much blew up today.
Not a clue what happened or where to begin
to look for the cause.
dale

[/ QUOTE ]
Hi Dale,
You had me scared for a moment. To me, "blew up" means that a crankshaft, connecting rod, or piston broke & came out through the side of the block. Glad it isn't really "that" serious. I'm sure that you will get it going soon.
Regards,
D

[/ QUOTE ]

Me too. Man, I read your opener and almost had a heart attack! Don't scare me like that again. I would be willing to bet that one of the gearheads on the Forum has been hankering for a Caribbean holiday....



Bill
 
Neat gadget and I never really did that to anyone. Well... maybe with a pull start lawn mower but it was just one rev. of the piston and only to teach the new employees what not to grab... Honest!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/devilgrin.gif
 
Dale, you need to review all of the wiring going to the ignition. Leave nothing to chance from DPO. If you need help with the ignition contact Jeff at Advanced. I told him that you may need a plate like mine with points & cond all set up and he said he could help out.

I'm sure that he will help you diagnose the electronic via phone as well.

If you are not sure about the current ignition (and why would you be?), I would be happy to send my backup point setup to you if Jeff can't get one fast enough for you.
 
Dale
when I read your subject heading I almost cancelled my holiday to your sunny beaches. Whew, that was close. I wonder if the electronic ignition is faulty, since that's the only thing untouched by your hands?
Regards
Craig
 
Dale
the same thing happened to me a few months ago. I was reversing out the drive when the motor just stopped. It was like I turned off the ignition switch. I cranked but no spark. I 'twiddled' the fuses in their holders and behold, it sparked. There was a little surface rust on the ends of the 30A ignition fuse. Try cleaning yours if you haven't already.
Regards
Craig
 
Thinking about it....electronic ignition....lotsa new wires....ignition switch on for long periods....your module is cooked! Go back to points and condensor, Dale, and I will be willing to bet she will fire up. Now what about those babes on the beach, tell us more. Any pictures?

Like the old Cajun joke, woman advertises in local paper under dating services: Female, age 33, single, fun loving, has own boat.
First reply: Send picture of boat....


Bill
 
Folks,

What Dale meant about the "Crypt Car blew up today" was it literally did blow up in Dale's Mind Eye-- 'Cause Wendy has a Hammer Ready & Willing hidden in the Garden /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif ... and She is NOT Afraid to USE It ;-) This Project is definitely a Nightmare on Dale's Street...

Dale, It's Time for a Jack Lalanne Electrical Session!!!

fingertip2.jpg


o Are there any Glowing Fuses on the Panel?
o Is the Cutout Switch grounding BW Wire?
o Is the Green Fuse Block Hot with the Key On?
o With Fire Truck Ready, Have you Sprayed the Carbs again?

If All is Working proceed on to TR6BILL's Diagnostics.

Cheers!
M
 
Mike-
Brand new fuses all functioning. no lights
Cut off switch where you left it
I will check on hot fuse box or not
Not going to spray gas anymore
Bill probably correct since every frigging
electical piece is new except the DPO's electronic
black box ignition.

Of course, the Crypt Car had to drop dead while Wendy
was watching. The Crypt Car got "The Look" while a
reminder to Dale the tow charge to the local car crusher
is only $75.

d
 
Martx: Thanks but I am totally ignorant
about electricity. I do not know how to use
the electrical test device boxes I have purchased.

For example:
1. What is dwell?
2.How can I check if electricity is going to the coil?
with only layman skills?
2.How can I check if electricity is leaving the coil?
with only layman skills?
 
Dale,

Remember the Continuity testor we played with? --- Use it! Attach Black clip to Body & place Sharp point on Positive Things ;-)

See if you have power to Coil (big yeller)
If No power, Work backwards: Ign box, Green Fuse Block, etc.

whipping_post_550.jpg

Accomplish Mission today or Receive 40 Lashes B4 Lunch!

Cheers!
M
 
brando_apoc.jpg


Colonel Kurtz
I watched a snail crawl along the edge of a straight razor. That's my dream. That's my nightmare. Crawling, swiftly, along the edge of a straight... razor... and surviving ....

The Crypt Car: Who's Nightmare is It, Dale's or Wendy's?

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nopity.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/pukeface.gif

PS: I Wisked Off a telepathic Email to Merlin in TN... Merlin maybe Wake Up around 9:30am and Brew Up some Smoke Signals for Us to See ;-)
 
Thxs Mike- I thought the little guy was for
checking out small light bulbs and gauges, etc.

Do I use the light bulb tetser with ingnition key turned on or off?

d

PS: Give me a holler later today. An easy day today for
me- no meetings, no travel, no clients stuff- nice and
enjoyable day of design projects.... at my own pace for
a change.

I had planned to try and drive the Crypt Car around the
block today but................in Spanish "El cabron no
esta corriendo hoy!"

d
 
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