Running awfully, suspect points...

[Tamsin]

So I need to set the points gap I think.

but no idea how to do it....

Can anyone suggest how to do it in idiot terms? And whilst I'm waiting for a feeler gauge (lost mine) is there something else I could use in place...

She's running like a dog and I think its where the RAC bloke remade the LT lead and disturbed the points....

[moggiethouable]

This is I suspect something plenty of people do but its a might difficult to write down.
You tube is full of videos on how to do it,type in "replacing points" you should invest in a set of feelers though, as of course you will need them also to set the plugs gap one day, also fag papers and wrappers arent as common as they used to be, weve all given up smoking.

[Tamsin]

Well, its improved. Not a lot, but now driveable. Still rough though.

Think the HT lead touching the block might not have helped

[bmcecosse]

A piece of card is good enough to set points - aka 'fag packet' in days of yore... The gap is not critical, as long as there IS a gap. Are you sure the valve gaps are right - and is the engine in good condition with good even compressions ? No burned valves ??

[Dean]

Couuld be numerous things. Firstly I would get the points set correctly and check all your leads are in good sound order and the ends are making proper contact with the plugs and dizzy. Then check the quality of the spark at each plug.

[Tamsin]

Well Roy, until the LT lead snapped the car was performing admirably. Returning 31mpg at a steady 55mpg with a roofrack and a 550kg trailer....

I think its somewhat unlikely that an LT snapping would cause the valve gaps etc to change! More likley that he knocked the dizzy slightly and changed the timing...

[bmcecosse]

Indeed - now we know the facts behind the problem - so twist the dizzy till it runs well!

[Tamsin]

She's running like a dog and I think its where the RAC bloke remade the LT lead and disturbed the points....

From the original post Roy...

[bmcecosse]

Yes - but you didn't mention him moving the dizzy.......... And why was he at the engine anyway??? Something must have gone wrong - and may STILL be wrong.......

[Tamsin]

I didn't say he moved the dizzy. He certainly didn't undo any bolts down there, other than the one holding the LT lead down!

First thing he did when he spotted there was no spark was pop the dizzy cap off, and the problem was immediately obvious. Snapped LT lead. He remade it, and refitted it.

[beero]

Run it in a dark place and see if there are any stray sparks where there shouldn't be.
Did he put the condensor lead back on?
Did he put the rotor arm back correctly?
Did he damage the carbon pin inside the centre of the dizzy cap?

[bmcecosse]

If it runs - it's likely these things are ok - but no harm checking. At the risk of getting another lambasting - are you SURE the plug leads are connected correct order....... 1342 anti-clock around the dizzy cap ?

[Tamsin]

Absolutely sure thanks

[bmcecosse]

Good! Well - why is it running poorly? If you think it is timing - just swing the dizzy back and forth to see if it smooths out.

[wstead]

snapped LT lead? the section from the coil to the dizzy or the short section from the connector block to the capacitor/points connection inside the dizzy?..if its the inside one he will have screwed the points gap. Personally I'd set them by setting the dwell angle rather than using feeler gauges. But, what ever gap you set is going to be from a manual that assumes you have the fuel available 50 years ago..so your gonna have to accept that your unlikely to get exactly where you were before unless your willing to 'fine tune' it by hand.

[chickenjohn]

perhaps the condensor is playing up as well. Your car may have one from one of the bad batches made in Mexico- get a new UK made condensor and put it on. Just one screw and a small nut and a few mins to change the condensor and they are cheap.

[lowride stepside]

electronic igniton fingy replaces the points n condenser easy to fit improves running, fuel economy, set it n forget it

[bmcecosse]

Until it fails on a dark and stormy night ........and you have no idea how to fix it. How does it help fuel economy?

[lowride stepside]

All modern things have em from lawn mowers to cars and have done for years, tho they can fail they tend not to , a better spark and duration makes for a more efficient running .
Why fiddle round in the dark with limited tools and a torch in yer mouth when you can call roadside recovery and sort it out in the morning (not that i've ever had to coz it never breaks down) except once when it popped a trunion