[DeTomaso] Definition of Ins. EE response

[Christopher Kimball]

I just replaced all the wires with Taylors, so I doubt it's the wires, although the coil wire's male brass connector is longer than the one on the wire I replaced.  The boot just barely covers the very end of the female socket.  I think if it ever doesn't start, I'll try cutting a little of the brass piece off so the coil wire pushes in far enough that the boot fits completely over the socket.  I'll see if that makes any difference.

I also read somewhere that the coil should be vertical--mine is virtually horizontal--does that in fact make any difference?

Chris

From: MikeLDrew at aol.com
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2010 20:39:22 -0500
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Definition of Ins. EE response
To: chrisvkimball at msn.com; persocaddy at aol.com; detomaso at realbig.com



In a message dated 12/19/10 17 32 59, chrisvkimball at msn.com writes:







Maybe the coil isn't even the problem.  I've been hoping (ironically) the car wouldn't start again so I could check to be sure the MSD box has a spark (the test is easy), but now, as if to taunt me, the car starts perfectly every time I try!





It's a lot cheaper/easier to change the coil wire, than the coil.   So I'd start there.



FWIW I had a huge ignition miss in my Pantera, both with the old engine and the new one.   The entire ignition system was carried over from the old to the new engine.   I eventually theorized that one of the plug wires was grounded out against the engine screen, and sure enough, that's what it was.   The spark was jumping through a hole in the boot, to the screen instead of firing the plug.   Replacing the worn boot, and bending the screen back to the stock shape (it had become tweaked somehow???) gave me the necessary clearance, and fixed the problem.



Also FWIW, one of my motorcycles had a huge ignition miss for years, that kept it parked.   The problem turned out to be a failed plug wire--it looked absolutely perfect but the end of the wire had corroded, underneath the metal contact.   Simply opening up the contact, slicing 1/4 inch off the wire and putting the end back on, fixed it but good.



So, if you suspect a coil, start with a coil wire.   IF that doesn't fix it, then move on to the coil.



The wire makers all sell replacement wires, or universal wire repair kits.   Due to the long proximity from the Pantera's normal coil location to the distributor, a normal coil wire probably won't be long enough.   Here's what Summit has to offer:



http://tinyurl.com/SummitCoilWires



Finch-style link. :>)



Mike