Holden 186 misfire

[86mud]

Hi all

I rebuilt my original distributor just recently. Removed it, cleaned it up, installed new points and condenser and redid the timing. it was running so much nicer for about 3 weeks, then developed a misfire when hot at low rpm under load, but would go away when given a few revs.

Next I replaced the coil and the ignition leads. but miss still there. Then it would not start when hot. Would crank over but not fire. I would remove the distributor cap and fiddle with the wire from the new condenser. It was like it was earthing through the body of the distributor.

I have ordered a new condenser in case the first one i got is faulty and will try that.

Just a process of elimination. I don't like having a unreliable landrover!

Cheers

[pop058]

Hi all

I rebuilt my original distributor just recently. Removed it, cleaned it up, installed new points and condenser and redid the timing. it was running so much nicer for about 3 weeks, then developed a misfire when hot at low rpm under load, but would go away when given a few revs.

Next I replaced the coil and the ignition leads. but miss still there. Then it would not start when hot. Would crank over but not fire. I would remove the distributor cap and fiddle with the wire from the new condenser. It was like it was earthing through the body of the distributor.

I have ordered a new condenser in case the first one i got is faulty and will try that.

Just a process of elimination. I don't like having a unreliable landrover!

Cheers

You don't have an unreliable Landy, you have an unreliable GM product :D

[chopper]

Its probably a Bosch or Lucas product ( or possibly an Indian condenser )that is causing the GM bit to misfire which is inturn making his LR unreliable.
Some of the points wires are terribly short and barely reach back to the terminal on the condenser wire and finish up braking off after a while.

[bee utey]

Go electronic, points belong to the historical era, not modern times.

Example linky

[Bigbjorn]

Go electronic, points belong to the historical era, not modern times.

Example linky (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/HOLDEN-electronic-distributor-138-149-161-179-186-202-/271042257968?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f1b60a430)

Nah, it is automotive electronics that are unreliable. Kettering ignition can be repaired roadside in a trice. Use the points to switch an electronic ignition kit but wire it in so you can run on points only by swapping a couple of wires over when the electronic box dies.

[bee utey]

Nah, it is automotive electronics that are unreliable. Kettering ignition can be repaired roadside in a trice. Use the points to switch an electronic ignition kit but wire it in so you can run on points only by swapping a couple of wires over when the electronic box dies.
I sort of agree that 30 years ago automotive electronics were a bit dodgy. Nowadays you can't get quality points and condensers anymore, the silver plating is little more than breathed on. I passionately hate modern points. Virtually no-one that owns points nowadays remembers to check and adjust them every 2000km, so they are nearly always out of tune. The Bosch high energy ignition systems that Bosch made for early 80's Holdens are tons more reliable than points, genuine modules are still available and carrying a module, a pickup or a whole spare dissy is cheaper than a tow job. I have replaced probably a hundred points dissys with electronic ones over the years and they rarely give me problems.

[Homestar]

I do as bee utey suggests and carry a few spares. I carry a spare coil, ignition amp and reluctor coil in my spares box - they take up very little room and don't cost much to have there. Electronic ignitions are very reliable beasts in the grand scheme of things. The only failure I've had was the vac advance - a mechanical part of the system, which caused it to run funny, but didn't stop me.

[86mud]

The wire from the condenser to the little plastic block that sits in the cutout on the side of the distributor body is a little too long on mine and is curled up a little which I think may be the problem or the wire has severed a little somewhere and expends when hot. I have ordered a new condenser so just waiting for it to arrive in the mail.

[86mud]

woohoo! all sorted. Just seemed to be a timing issue apparently. Runs like a dream again.