HT leads - misfire

[andy-w]

I am going to get shot for this.

When the car has warmed up it will run fine, sounds really smooth at 90 (dis-used airfield) but if i slow down for a roundabout when i come out the other side it sounds like it is not firing on all cylinders until you get back up to about 3k revs and over 70mph and at one point it back fired once at 80ish.

I must confess that it has got cheapie leads on it at the moment and a set of Magnecor are going to be ordered very soon...could this be the cause?
Also while the engine was running i touched one of the leads and got a shock of it. Some people think this is normal but i cant remember ever having a car do that before???

[dumbfunk]

Yup - crappy leads I reckon. I recently swapped mine for 8.5mm Magnecors and it felt like a rocketship afterwards. However the ignition coil failed shortly afterwards so I'm not sure if this was related (i.e. proper leads making more demands on it).


Dumbfun

[the dodger]

GET
SOME
NEW LEADS!

No, you should not get a shock as they should be insulated. Magnecore are great leads - probably unnecessarily good unless you're thrashing round on a track regularly. I still bought some. I recommend you also get new heat shields and that you get them from ACT as there's no cheaper source. BTW - I have no association with ACT other than a pleased customer.

[andy-w]

the dodger said:

GET
SOME
NEW LEADS!

i was expecting

Some new leads and plug shrouds are going to be ordered in the next few minutes!!!

[GreenV8S]

If the lead is in perfect condition then you shouldn't get a shock off it. But if the insulation is starting to break down at any point then you can get a shock.

[Podie]

GreenV8S said:

If the lead is in perfect condition then you shouldn't get a shock off it. But if the insulation is starting to break down at any point then you can get a shock.

TRY IT!

[andy-w]

Going to get the wife to try it tonight...there's 9 leads to test so i should have some fun!!!

[GreenV8S]

Podie said:

TRY IT!

No flippin' way! Note the operative words "should" and, more importantly, "you".

[Podie]

GreenV8S said:

Podie said:

TRY IT!

No flippin' way! Note the operative words "should" and, more importantly, "you".

go on... stick yer tongue in Andy

[andy-w]

Podie said:

GreenV8S said:

Podie said:

TRY IT!

No flippin' way! Note the operative words "should" and, more importantly, "you".

go on... stick yer tongue in Andy

OO-er...like i said...i shall get the wife to touch each lead in turn as i rev the engine!!!
I am sure she will see the funny side!!!

[the dodger]

andy-w said:

Podie said:

GreenV8S said:

Podie said:

TRY IT!

No flippin' way! Note the operative words "should" and, more importantly, "you".

go on... stick yer tongue in Andy

OO-er...like i said...i shall get the wife to touch each lead in turn as i rev the engine!!!
I am sure she will see the funny side!!!

Andy, make sure you can see what's in her other hand at the time..........

[john p]

Make sure the king lead is not making contact with the coolant swan neck if yours is an early Chim.Mine was and was causing havoc,even with new leads.

[siobe]

Had a similar problem a couple of weeks ago. Wife not happy about plug lead test but she was saved when I spotted oil weeping from the coil. Car,wife and me all happy now.

[andy-w]

Found the problem!!!

Turned out to be the distributer cap.
The socket that takes the HT lead directly under the swan neck forom the thermostat to the swirl pot had completely corroded along with the end of the lead!!!
Had a spare dizzy cap and its running fine.
In fact it is probably better than it has ever run and now i get pops and bangs all the time...!!!

Happy bunny!!!