OK Guys!! Two problems:
(1) I have previously written this list seeking advice and ideas about my 1979
Midget's timing. A strange thing has happened. If you recall, the Midget
idled pretty well and had lots ofpower under load, as when accelerating and
decelerating. While attempting to maintain speed it missed, backfired, and
jumped around to a high degree. This morning I drove the car to work and it
ran the worst it has ever run. Spitting, missing, backfiring, no matter
whether under load of coasting--little power. Idled pretty well though. I
parked inthe parking lot at work and went inside.
About 2 hours later, I had occasion to leave the building and hop in my Midge
to drive somewhere--somewhat dreading the ride due to the missing. Much to my
surprise it ran perfectly!!!! Not a miss or a pop to be felt or heard. The
same held after work--ran beautifully--no misses or pops whether under load or
coasting. Engine sounded great, good pep. Remember I had done NOTHING to the
engine to effect this turnaround.
At home, I popped the hood to replace the stop light switch, and I noticed
that the plastic hose that runs from the diaphragm of the distributor to the
carburetor had come into contact with the exhaust manifold, had melted, and
had sealed itself on both the carb and the distributor ends. Thus
accidentally sealing the connection between hose between the carb and the
distributor improved the running of the engine--in effect taking the vacuum
advance OUT of the picture made it run better. Does that clinch the idea that
I need to replace the distrubutor, or is there someting else at play?
(2) The stop lights did not work when I got this Midget. After checking
everything, it came down to the switch, which proved to be the culprit. After
replacing the brake light switch with a good one, both brake lights work when
the lights are off and the pedal is depressed, although the right one is much
dimmer than the left one. When the Headlights/taillights are on and the brake
pedal is pressed the left brake light comes on, but THE RIGHT LIGHT GOES OUT
ALTOGETHER! Anybody got an idea about the cause of this? Lights off, right
brake light works dimly while left brake light works brightly, Lights on, the
talilights burn but when the pedal is pushed the right light goes out.
Thanks for any replies.
----David
'67 Sprite MKIV, aka, Vicky
'79 Midget, aka, Taz
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