Aaargh !
I have a 78 Spitfire 1500, dual SUs, Lumenition ignition and an optical
pickup - apart from that a fairly standard Spitfire 1500
The problem, four nights ago at 80km/hr the car stalled, before I
coasted to a stop I was able to re-start the car. I thought that since
Billy Graham was in town (Ottawa) that The Prince of Darkness was also
visiting. I was also thinking low on gas, perhaps some dirt in the fuel
line, or water etc. Popped the back panel checked out the filter (new in
Sept 97) and all appeared ok.
Next day, filled up with Premium, checked the ignition wires started on
my way - got to work, went to lunch all ok. Half-way home from work the
car stalled at around 80km/hr, it did not re-start right away. Open
the hood, did the stare thing, the curse thing, the "well it might be a
loose connection thing", took out a plug - it looked clean and the gap
was ok then phoned CAA, the car then started. Hmmm maybe threats work ?
Three-quarters of the way home the car stalled again. After 20 minutes
of random attempts the car re-started, ran for 30 mins at idle, then 15
minutes during the drive home.
This morning - took the car out for an exploratory spin - it ran roughly
(3 of 4 perhaps) and then growled (hey with headers and sports exhaust
it doesn't purr) ran fine for 20 minutes and then stalled. Engine stank
of Gas - yep, I flooded it so fuel supply is fine. Threatened to drive
the Mazda MX-6 on sunny days but the threats fell on deaf ears.
Garage Number 1 - (Service Station) after many Lucas & LBC jokes (Sorry
- nothing new) and 45 minutes pronounced "it turns over but doesn't
fire" Thank you Mssr. Descartes !
Garage Number 2 - (Canadian Tire) - look it's a Spitfire (no problem),
it has dual carbs (Zeniths or Skinner Unions ? - hey they might know
what they're doing !), it has an after-market electronic ignition (oh
good - that will make diagnosis easier) anyways after 6 hours they
phone to tell me "it turns over but doesn't fire AND that because it has
aftermarket ignition components that they wouldn't know where to
start...
Aargh !
Anyway, the car is now with Rob Staruch at Miniman in Carp, Ontario.
Rob is excellent, so excellent that there is generally a 2-3 week wait
behind AH, MGs, TRs, Jags, and some really cool Ferraris (Virange ?)
So if Rob can't get to my car - where should I start looking ?
Andrew
P.S. If it something really easy and obvious I do have a sofa to donate
to the corner, and hey I'll even bring a cooler and some snacks.
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