This morning as I drove to work, I had odd losses of power (again, I wrote
into the list about it a couple weeks ago thinking it could be PCV
related). Anyhow, I now have an MGA-like PCV system, have checked that
none of my charging system or ignition system wires touch anything else,
and I've had a hard pipe water heater fitting made (so I know it's not a
leaking valbe dripping on the distributor. I should preface this with the
fact that I've installed some extra gauges - a voltmeter, ammeter, and
manifold vacuum gauge. The car is a '67 MGB fitted with an internally
regulated alternator. Here are the symptoms - I'm driving along at
freeway speeds (80mph) and I can feel the car lose power. So I look at
the gauges - which tell me nothing. I give the car some gas, and can hear
it stress, but it maintains speed. The manifold vacuum goes from 5 inches
to 1 (as would be consistant with flooring the car). The power loss lasts
0.1 to 0.3 miles. Then all goes back to normal.
This happened 5 times this morning during my 30 mile commute. It happened
aobut 3 times one morning a couple weeks ago (and BTW, I'm in Idaho - it
was about 15 this morning). Between those, I've had no similar incidents.
It seems that this must be an electrical/ignition issue, or the power
wouldn't come back 100%.
Anyone got any suggestions??
Phil Bates
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