fourteen turns over but...

Need some help with a technical problem - ask away and let's see if we can all help.

Moderators: hot66, impmad2000, Nige

Barry
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 4321
Joined: Tue Aug 24, 2004 8:50 pm
Location: East Sussex

Post by Barry »

Hmmm, I suppose the first thing to do would be establish what points/condensor the distributor needs: I don't know whether there is just one type for all 914's? Best to phone someone like Roger Bray, who are familiar with the car: they might be able to tell you what to look for on your dizzy to ensure the correct ones are sent.

Another thing you will need to check is whether you have been left the screws that attach the points, and the other one that attaches the condensor. If you don't think you've got them, again see if you can get them from the same place as the points. If they can't get them then either a Bosch specialist/rebuilder, or model engineers supplier: they are bound to be a B.A. thread of somesort. You might even find you've got them somewhere anyway.

Once you have your points, screws and condensor, you can move on. remove the electronic module, and keep for reference (part numbers etc, just in case you decide to go back to electronic in the future). I can't remember how the 914 dizzy looks inside, but you should find that there is a natural place for the points to attach: usually they locate on a small 'dowel' at one end, have a slotted screw holding them in the centre: the screw going through a elongated hole to allow for points adjustment. The condensor, I think, mounts on the outside of the body of the dizzy on yours (one screw).

You should end up with a wire that comes from the coil negative (might dissappear into the loom and come out near the points?), to the points. At this point another wire should be 'piggybacked' on top of the same wire back to the condensor. Therefore wire from coil negative-points-condensor.

Just to explian what is happening here: the coil is charged up when the points are closed by current flowing into the coil via the +'ve. Imagine the coil is like a battery, which is now charged. When the points open, the stored energy is desperate to go somewhere: it now can't complete the circuit to earth, so an electrical change happens within the coil leading to a bolt of energy flying out of the 'king' H.T. lead (giving the spark). The trouble with this, is that as the points open, the current has some 'momentum', and tries to push across the points (arcing). The condensor is there to act as a 'buffer', and provides an electrical cushion to stop arcing. This is why you should have two wires going to the points: the one that completes the coil circuit, and the other that diverts the residual current to be 'cushioned' by the condensor: I imagine this then either leaks this energy to ground (earth) or shoots it back into the circuit next time the points close?

Anyway back to you car: once you think you have the points and condensor in and wired, you need to set the points gap. Hopefully you've got the measurement in either mm, or 'thou' (of an inch). You may have it as a 'dwell' angle. If so, don't worry! With the ignition off, pop the car into third gear, and with the distributor cap off, roll the car fowards until you can see that the points are as far open as they can be (so the follower is right on top of the cam). Now slacken the mounting screw, and move the points in and out until you have the correct gap: hopefully you've got a set of feeler gauges. If not, just to get you going, just set a gap the thickness of a business card. This should at least be enough to try it.

If it now runs O.K. you will need to get the points finely adjusted using a dwell meter, and then check / have checked the timing with a strobe light. Don't use the car until these have been checked as you can damage the valves or pistons if your timing is out. Having said this, you should be O.K. to 'potter' it somewhere to get it checked, just avoid high speeds or heavy acceleration :wink: .

Hope this helps, any probs give me a shout, and I'll talk you through it :)
Last edited by Barry on Fri Jun 02, 2006 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.
DDK Member1243 07741 273865. Home of the RY Austin 7 Trophy's and Austin Single Seat Racers
Dyno Soar
I luv DDK!
Posts: 994
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:16 am
Location: London, England

Post by Dyno Soar »

Its definatly a Pertronix module in there as thats what I had put in there.

Sorry about the trouble Mark.

I would love to have that car back one day. :)
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
roger
DDK slapper chatter
Posts: 454
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 11:06 pm
Location: The brussel fields (Bedfordshire)

Post by roger »

You can always buy mine in July Dyno.....
Roger -
1971 Gilbern Invader Mark II
1956 Terrot 125 EMS
2015 Skoda Octavia Estate
boomy
DDK slapper chatter
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2004 3:27 pm
Location: Kernow

Post by boomy »

thx for all the help, it has been invaluable !! 8)

I have fixed it....I took out the electronic thingy ready to start to put back to points etc, and found that where the wires from the device go through the dizzy body, the earth had rubbed and wore down to bare wire, but only in a very small area ( not visible when in place)...I didnt think this could make a difference, but I tapped it up and put it back in....


....it started !! :drunken: :bom: :shock: 8)

I took it for a spin and its running better than ever !! 8)

I cant believe something so simple caused so much grief...

...like I said, thanks a million for your time....

Mark

8)
Dreaming of driving a pre-A 356, actually commuting in a Cayman and for the weekend, a 911 'thing', with a Carrera 3 engine ( we think).
***
76 912E....gone
71 914 .....gone
66 912 ...sadly gone
...and lots of air cooled VWs and a few rusty, Italian tubs!
User avatar
Nige
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 6688
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:11 pm
Location: Denby, Derbyshire

Post by Nige »

Alam obviously didn't install the rubber grommet then that comes with Pertonix kit, bad lad :lol:

Nice simple fixes are always the best, glad its sorted
kevster
Married to the DDK
Posts: 274
Joined: Tue Sep 13, 2005 10:31 am
Location: brighton
Contact:

Post by kevster »

pertronix sounds like the way to go - do they really make much difference? I like th eidea of taking out the guesswork of setting up points - they ususally get pitted after a while anyway...
'74 silver 914 2.0 US import
'91 944 S2 cab
renault scenic dci
trek Y22 OCLV FS
GT dyno deuce cruiser
sarasota cruiser
not enough toys - too little time...
Dyno Soar
I luv DDK!
Posts: 994
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:16 am
Location: London, England

Post by Dyno Soar »

Nige wrote:Alam obviously didn't install the rubber grommet then that comes with Pertonix kit, bad lad :lol:

Nice simple fixes are always the best, glad its sorted
I stupidly asked a garage (Harry Harpics, Southend) to put that car through its MOT after a recomendation a couple of years ago and to fit some filters and stuff. 1.5 days later I got a bill for £700.00!!! Thats me being stupid. I was shocked. I am glad to see they were very through with the £700 job.

:evil:

Anyway Mark I am glad you fixed the car. Its a shame I can't take it back. Space, time and money are scarce. :(
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
Dyno Soar
I luv DDK!
Posts: 994
Joined: Fri Dec 19, 2003 10:16 am
Location: London, England

Post by Dyno Soar »

roger wrote:You can always buy mine in July Dyno.....
I wish I could afford a car like yours Roger. Your car is amazing and very well built. I love everything about it.

:)
Alam

77' 911 Carerra 3.0 'The Beast'
58' 356-A Coupe
55' Chevy
51' AP17
impmad2000
I need to get out more!
Posts: 3358
Joined: Fri Nov 14, 2003 8:31 am
Location: Leicester, a convenient mid point !
Contact:

Post by impmad2000 »

Dyno Soar wrote:I love everything about it :)
Isn't it Blue ?? :wink:
Tim Bennett
RHD Targa 2.2T EFI, Triumph ITB's, EDIS and Megasquirt.
"Old enough to know what's right and young enough not to choose it"
#1153
Post Reply