Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

[John F.]

Does anyone have a recommendation on who I can send a distributor to for a quick look and/or repair? I'm two weeks away from getting this 63 FI car judged here in NE Ohio and kinda in a jam. The guy who was working on my car is out sick. Car dies out and becomes a pig at anything over 2500 RPM. I'm almost 100% positiver it's not the FI system but the electrical/distributor.

Here is the history.

FI and Ignition were working just fine before I attempted to switch the car over to pertronix ignition however that didn't work. (several attempts, kept burning them up due to low voltage to unit on crank and I was willing to take the deduction but whatever....it didn't work after 4 fried units so went back to points)

New 091 Coil from Central

New Points installed by my mechanic (suspect they may be burned out or possibly bad which is what I need tested. just can't find anyone)

verified all the wiring to the cap is correct with firing order.

Using Cam 2 racing gasoline

Any suggestions?

[Carmen R.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Don Baker
815-498-9522

1307 Reva Lane
Sandwich, IL 60548

He did mine a while ago and it looks great. John E. DeGregory uses him for his restorations. Good luck getting him or anyone for that matter to get any thing done in such a short time, although it wouldn't hurt to give him a call. He's very knowledgeable and might be able to make some suggestions over the phone.

Good luck with your judging and hope you get your car sorted out in time.

[Carmen R.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Just re-read your thread. It looks like you did away with the pertronix and are using the 091 coil. Do you have the old coil, or another one you can use to as a test.

This is Don's favourite coil, although not correct and will lose some points it performs well. The nos ones have the numbers embossed.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/281777813587

[John D.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Hi John, Looks like my pal Carmen is helping you too.
I am on way to church so won't write a book here. Yes Baker is backed up big time. But call him anyhow.
Don doesn't like the repro coils. For the moment try any good known DR coil. If you don't have one go to an auto store and buy one.
Check out your ballast resistor. What about the distributor vacuum advance. Is it a repro? They have a very strong spring in them. Not a good thing except for judging. Baker may have one of his own repros.
What spark plugs are you running.
How is the engine fuel pump. Lately some of my customers are having a lot of engine fuel pump problems. Rebuild pumps.
Go to NAPA and buy one of theres temporarily.
Is you FI hi-pressure pump original? If you have FI pump issues I have a friend who could rebuild it in a few days.
How's the main diaphragm. That's the big one on top of the fuel bowl. How about the main diaphragm cover? Probably warped. Needs to be put on a granite surface plate and lapped flat. Not a sheet of glass or counter top. Then when you tighten up the 8 black fillister screws don't tighten them big time. Just snug. So you don't warp the weak cover again.
Seems like you have had a ton of ignition problems. Don Baker likes the one wire set up that LL sells but other than that we only like CS786 or CS786P points. Dont'forget to replace the condenser from NAPA. Number in my shop. If you need it holler.
Use AC 46 plugs. Is your engine in time? Hows the fuel filter? Get a NOS one.
Lots of things above will cost you points but so what. You want the car to run. We worry about points too much. I am guilty of that also.
FInding a real deal 091 today is tough. Especially with someone asking $2500 for ever on Ebay. Upsetting but not my business.
Later, John D.

[Frank D.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

You shouldn't be burning up Petronix units because of low voltage -- the later versions have beau coup built in protections. Yes, the LL Breakerless-SE conversion is nice and works with stock coil, ballast resistor and plug wires. I run one along with a NAPA IC12 coil.
HOWEVER, I have a carbureated '63. When installing the points conversion I found the wire to the breaker plate was holding on by two copper strands. Sometimes a good physical inspection is worthwhile. Never hurts to make sure ignition wires are not hurt from rubbing against the shielding. I ran some plastichrome door edge, self-adhesive molding at the rear lower edge of my shielding to prevent this.

The Lakeland judges got a kick out of it and knew exactly why I did it...

[John F.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Hi John,

I'll give you a call later this AM to discuss if that's ok. Sincerely appreciate the help.

John

[John F.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Frank,

this is directly from Pertronix after going through 4 units. they even admitted, if you're battery goes dead or low while you're cranking, the unit will fail. I had a long discussion with them about this and indicated that's a fatal issue with the unit. What if you leave your lights on or door cracked. You'll be stranded somewhere. the issue I have is that these correct "restoration batteries" are nothing compared to a normal battery with CCA. My FI car takes some cranking to start. Always has but usually starts right up after 3-5 seconds of cranking and/or second try. problem is that this drops the voltage below an acceptable level. My mechanic has installed 100's of these units on vetts without issue until he got to my car. Granted mine was the exception with the restoration battery and FI combination. Wiring was all new. I appreciate your input and post!! thank you

[Michael G.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car



John,

It looks like you've still got some trouble-shooting to do, but given the quality of some repro electrical parts, I'd start by getting a different coil and new points from NAPA.

Ultimately, if you also determine (for sure) that something is wrong with the actual distributor, I have a freshly-restored, unused 63 FI distributor (that Don Baker restored) sitting in Southeast Michigan (see pic). I don't want to sell it, but maybe we can work something out to let you use it while Don has yours. PM me when you get to that point.

[John D.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

That's very kind of you Mike.
Notice the red condenser. Never use the NOS DR condensers. Well you might be able to get away with it on your own car. But never never use one on a job for someone else. The DR has a fiber end to it. Moisture has gotten into the condenser and they are history.

As much as most of you drive your cars I see no reason why you cannot safely use points.

[John F.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Mike,

Thanks for your reply and offer. I appreciate it! I think I have the car running enough right now to make the 20 mile trip to the judging event. I'm going to try putting in a new coil and M&H Electronic ignition and see if that helps to.

btw, what color interior is your Sebring Silver 63?

[Michael G.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Well, the interior is going to be all silver soon, it's being installed as we write. I KNOW I SHOULDN'T CHANGE IT to a non-stock color, but the car is not very stock now, anyway: It used to be a black/black fuelie, but it now is Sebring Silver with a 5 speed Tremek trans, Steeroids rack and pinion steering, 67 disc brakes, Vintage Air, a a new reproduction frame, Detroit Speed headlight motors, and an electric puller fan. It still has its re-built 327 with its stock fuel L84 injection, but the cam is a 327-350 hydraulic, rather than the solid lifter one it came with. After its up and running and the engine is broken in, I'm switching to a Rochester unit I've added FAST port EFI to.

All in all, it should be a fun ride this Fall...

[John F.]

Re: Distributor Repair Help 63 FI car

Nice ride! thanks for the pic. mine is Tan Leather. Keep looking for another one but never seam to find one.