Ignition woes

H

hed4rvr

New member
First time post...new member! My recently purchased 1980 traveler is having problems contnuing to run. The Scout had been sitting for a couple years so, I new I had my work cut out for me. I had the tq rebuilt, replaced the tank with a new 19 poly, new sendor, new fuel lines, electric fuel pump, fuel filters and coil. After all of this, the 345 started rite up and purred like a kitten and ran great in my driveway. Next test....drive it. Herein lies my problem. It runs great, shifts good, nice power no weird sounds or misses until about 2 miles and then it kind of sputters and dies. If I let cool down a couple of minutes, I can get it to start and I drive it and the same thing happens after about 2 miles. I originally thought it was vapor locking but it does the same exact thing with the gas cap on or off. I noticed the coil gets extremely hot to the touch and I'm thinking my prob is ignition related. It seems that something is getting hot and when I allow it to cools it's ok again...
Btw-it's a prestolite distributor with stock module

thanks for any ideas/help...
 
Need more info. When it stops remove the top of the air filter and look down the carb throat while pumping the throttle. Do you see a good shot of fuel?

Coils do run warm/hot. Have a spare spark plug along for the next time it dies. Put the plug in one of the wires and lay it on a grounded surface. Have a friend watch while you crank. Is there a spark?
 
I am having a very similar issue. Mine is a 67 800 with a 3 speed and a 152. I just gave a complete tune up thinking that was my problem. It idles good and 1st gear is good. When I build up a little speed and get into second gear it spuders and dies. I can let it sit a while and it will start but runs very rough. I pulled the plugs after only a few minutes of running and they are very black and even caked up with what almost looks like oil. The oil level stays up though. The valve cover gasket is leaking a bit. Could this be a carb issue?
 
It is all new. It has an electric pump and I just installed a pressure regulator set at 5 psi. I have been using a portable tank in the back until I can get a new tank for it. Maybe the conection to the tank is not big enough. It is the kind used for an outboard motor so I can take the tank out with losing my prime and take it to town to fill it up.

What gets me is the plugs look terrible after only a short time running. Could this be not enough fuel? And if that was the case I would think that it would start right back up but it doesn't. Maybe that is part of the problem?

Thanks,
 
Can you run it out of gear and work the throttle without any ill effects for a long time? Any black smoke like it is super Rich? Does the coil get hot?

If it does quit running check the spark while it is still in a state of not wanting to start.

Kinda have to run through a couple of tests to pinpoint the problems.
 
I let it idle and occasionally go over and give it somem throttle. It seems to do fine. Put it in gear to drive it and don't make it very far before it starts running very rough and eventually dies. I have not checked spark after it stops. I am usually trying to get it back to the house:d
 
There's two different issues here. And a thread hijack.
Hed4rvr, it sounds like you've changed the coil? If yes, did you ever run it with the old one? Depending on the distributor pickup situation, you May have a low impedance coil on a gold box ignition. Switching to new blingy coils is great, but they have to be matched to your ignition pickup. Try putting the old coil back on, or find one that's used with points. Also, let us know what config your distributor/pickup system is. I've seen this issue before.
Read through this link for more info:
http://www.forums.IHPartsAmerica.com/ignition-tech/644-ignition-system-performance-upgrades.html
 
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Don't get the feeling you're unwanted, 'rat. Its just easier to solve these things one at a time.
Hed4river has described a situation that I have dealt with before. I would be surprised if it wasn't his coil causing the issues. We'll have to wait and see.
You're describing problems that were there to begin with, and have lingered despite the tune-up. Most likely not the same issue as his, and probably carb related. The fact that your plugs get loaded up indicates overly Rich condition. Under load, the ignition can't overcome the gasoline humidity and it dies. A stronger spark might indeed help, but if the carb is too Rich, you haven't solved the problem. Just covered it up. Do you have any filtration proior to the pump, then prior to the carb? You also May be over-fueling with the electric pump. Have you checked the pressure?
Start a new thread with your symptoms and what your carb situation is. Mayben, trever, and Robert k will chime in. There is a lot of knowledge here. They'll get you going.
 
Sorry guyz, was away for the holiday break and it was the first trip with the traveler. I solved the problem....it was a pinched fuel line. Used the Scout all thanksgiving holiday and it peformed awesome. Had zero problems and it likes nothing more than to climb steep inclines....no probs at all and had a great time! Attached is a shot from atop one of the climbs overlooking the Colorado river.

Thanbks again for all the help.

Gotta find a roll bar for the traveler before next trip.......ideas anyone?
 

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