Thread: Couple of engine questions.

Originally Posted by gumby190

Daisy has a Holden 186 with the Bosch Dizzy, she is running pretty bad at the moment, hesitates & farts a bit, bit of a laugh chugging through Bankstown the other day though.

The dizzy got a load of muddy water in it on the weekend, I have cleaned it out, the points are nearing the end of their life so I need to replace, does anyone know the gap setting for them?
I also have a new coil sitting here & am picking up a new cap & rotor button(new plugs about 2 weeks ago).


I am just curious as to how badly do bad points affect the running of a motor & what are the side effects, at the moment while she is idling I can pull the lead off cylinder 6 or 2 & she seems to run a little better? I know this should not be, I have turned her over without the cap & button, the spark is not very clean (orange) and arcs onto the arm on the points occasionally, guessing this is 2 & 6's problem(they also have a weak looking orange spark). But still have one hell of a bite.

I am just trying to learn a bit more & everything I know I have picked up along the way.

Thanks.

You did answer your own question the spark should be blue not orange , and if its jumping around it could be just like you said the points are worn

Originally Posted by rangieman

You did answer your own question the spark should be blue not orange , and if its jumping around it could be just like you said the points are worn

I am after the points gap.
And was after someone to verify my belief on the spark problems.

And is it a common thing for just 2 cylinders to be affected.

The old trick with setting points is a bit of cigy paper folded , im not sure what the exact gap for your car but you could try a 16 thou gap max which should be in the ball park figure

You should realy replace all ignition componets to eliminate any possible causes such as coil, cap , rotor button , points , condensor , and leads ,plugs
And start afresh ,Once you have replaced all items then you can eliminate those as a cause

It is hard to suggest how to fix problems with out seeing or hearing the motor run

Originally Posted by rangieman

You should realy replace all ignition componets to eliminate any possible causes such as coil, cap , rotor button , points , condensor , and leads ,plugs
And start afresh ,Once you have replaced all items then you can eliminate those as a cause

It is hard to suggest how to fix problems with out seeing or hearing the motor run

I have new plugs & leads(2 weeks old), new coil & condensor sitting on my desk & am going to pick up a cap, points & button tommorrow.

Whats wrong with the cap and the rotor button? You can wash them you know.

Originally Posted by gumby190

I have new plugs & leads(2 weeks old), new coil & condensor sitting on my desk & am going to pick up a cap, points & button tommorrow.

There ya go fit all that up and report back , Then we can help sort it

Originally Posted by dobbo

Whats wrong with the cap and the rotor button? You can wash them you know.

They are old & have score marks in them, easy to replace & keep the old ones in case of emergency.

Originally Posted by gumby190

And is it a common thing for just 2 cylinders to be affected.

if the spark is leaking between two leads.......or arcing across the dizzy cap.....yes its possible.......



have you done a compression test on the engine to eliminate rings valves and headgasket......?
it might not just be an electronic problem.......though it usually is.....