Hot-Rod Newport build progress for September 6, 2011.

[mckitterick]

Troubleshooting inch-by-inch revealed a very simple issue: The prior owner had installed a Crane Cams XR700 (opens .pdf instruction manual) electronic ignition module BACKWARDS in the distributor. Which explains why the wires (upon closer inspection of a pre-teardown photo) were installed 180° off. I swung it around 180° to where it's supposed to be, went through the plug wires again to put them where they're supposed to be when the optical sensor in the distributor is correctly positioned, reinstalled the distributor, rechecked the timing, and stepped into the car to give it another try.

I'll allow this video to explain how things proceeded:

WOOHOO! So glad I tore down the coolant hoses today to fix a few leaks.

Ready to ROCK! Now if only it weren't so late and the unmuffled exhaust so loud I'd go for a cruise. Alas, I don't want to encourage the neighbors to assault the house with pitchforks and torches. When I gave it a little rev (and WOW is she rev-happy!), the pressure waves from the exhaust knocked a box from the garage attic onto the floor. So methinks I'll wait for light of day to take it for a spin.

But she runs!

Chris

Chris

Comments

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

SHIT YEAH! Excellent!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

I laughed my brains out when I gave the throttle gave a little tap (and WOW is she rev-happy!) and the pressure waves from the exhaust knocked a box from the garage attic onto the floor! Damn, she sounds fine.

Kinda deliriously happy and feeling clever - just hours after feeling dejected and ready to call a professional tuner to come over and see WTF was going on.

Did I mention WOOHOO!

[normalcyispasse.livejournal.com]

I know that feeling and it is a GOOD one. Congrats!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

It sure is. Thank you!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I laughed my brains out when I gave the throttle gave a little tap (and WOW is she rev-happy!) and the pressure waves from the exhaust knocked a box from the garage attic onto the floor!

It was funny because said falling box missed me by about six inches.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

:-D

[frugurl27.livejournal.com]

That rocks! Congrats!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

I'm so incredibly happy for you! We should have champagne tonight after your class.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Champagne toast of victory!

[carmy-w.livejournal.com]

All right! Glad it's up and running!

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

You and me both!

[silverfae.livejournal.com]

Voila! and YAYAAAAA~

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Awesome! Though I don't think I'll be doing a lot of racing: That gets expensive in broken parts real quick ;-)

[silverfae.livejournal.com]

Both mechanical and physical, right!
Fun to watch, though.. from a safe distance.

[tully01.livejournal.com]

FANTASTIC!!! Just click and ROAR!!!!

I told you never to trust an aftermarket or rebuild distributor to remotely match factory specs. :-D File for future reference. I'm told 180 off is not nearly as uncommon as you might think, even among pros.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

So it seems! Though it wasn't the distributor, itself, that was off, it was the aftermarket high-energy ignition module sensor _inside_ the distributor. Which was installed backwards. Along with the plug wires *sigh*

[tully01.livejournal.com]

Aftermarket makes it rebuild part. That's my stroy and I'm sticking to it.

Look forward to meeting the Newport some day. By then you'll be through the breakin period and know what it'll do.

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

You KNOW I'll have to drive it to ConQuest next year! Also to Contra if I can make it this fall....

[tully01.livejournal.com]

Not likely I'll make Contra. Ah well.