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  • Geoffreybusuttilmalta
    Experienced
    • Dec 9 2014
    • 114

    engine occasionally misfiring

    i need serious help on this. got a total engine rebuild. and it works very fine. with 100% compression on all cylinders etc... installed a new distributor too . but when checking the spark with a stroboscope. on each ht lead.. number 5 seems to not work continuously . and when touching / pressing the distributor cap .. it works .,.. and when not touching it it doesnt show any spark.. eventually sometimes while im drivin i m feeling the bird rattleing.. even the acellerator pedal... what could it be guys... ?

    would really appreciate some help pls thanks from Malta EU. if maybe someone can help by finding me on facebook.. my name is geoffrey busuttil thanks againnn


    geoffrey
  • jopizz
    Super-Experienced


    • Nov 23 2009
    • 8308

    #2
    If it only fires when you press on the cap then it sounds like an issue between the rotor and the cap. Are your rotor and cap new and are you sure they are correct. It may be just poor quality replacement parts. I recommend buying the best quality parts you can find. Try cleaning the #5 contact on the underside of the cap. Maybe some plastic is overlapping it.

    John
    John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

    Thunderbird Registry #36223
    jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

    https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

    Comment

    • jopizz
      Super-Experienced


      • Nov 23 2009
      • 8308

      #3
      Also are your points adjusted to spec. Did you check it with a dwell meter. Don't assume with a new distributor right out of the box that the points are set correctly. That distributor fits multiple cars and every model has different gap settings.

      John
      John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

      Thunderbird Registry #36223
      jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

      https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

      Comment

      • Geoffreybusuttilmalta
        Experienced
        • Dec 9 2014
        • 114

        #4
        as what regards the gaps me and my mechanic checked that it is 0.4 mm ... which is at it should be ... as per distributor .... i bought it from birdsnest,.,. .. one thing ... could it be some wiring issue? ... because i was told by guys at work.. that it could be because of some wiring.......

        Comment

        • jopizz
          Super-Experienced


          • Nov 23 2009
          • 8308

          #5
          If it fires when you push down on the cap then why would you suspect anything other than a distributor issue? If the guys at work think they know what the problem is then ask one of them to fix it for you. I'm giving you my opinion but if you think they know more than I do then I won't bother with this thread anymore.

          John
          John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

          Thunderbird Registry #36223
          jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

          https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

          Comment

          • Geoffreybusuttilmalta
            Experienced
            • Dec 9 2014
            • 114

            #6
            for being an administrator. sorry telling you that`s a very rude and bad tempered reply ... if everyone was an expert like you . this forum would be closed

            just tryin to understand whats goin on man..

            Comment

            • sidewalkman
              Super-Experienced
              • Sep 14 2015
              • 508

              #7
              Originally posted by Geoffreybusuttilmalta
              for being an administrator. sorry telling you that`s a very rude and bad tempered reply ... if everyone was an expert like you . this forum would be closed

              just tryin to understand whats goin on man..
              Hey Geoffrey, you likely caught John at a bad moment, but he has a point. There is no 'wiring' inside the cap that would be affected by pushing on the cap. it can only be a problem between the cap and rotor if it is repaired by pushing on the cap. Regardless of what your well meaning co-workers think. Replace the cap and rotor, a lot of what we get from resellers good and bad are repops from China, and most of us have experienced issues with them.

              As far as getting advise here. You can take it to the bank, there are a bunch of contributors, John being one of them that have saved me countless hours of trial and error, they've done all of it dozens of times, and are willing to share the knowledge with you. Understand that if they offer you advise and before taking you seek help from your buddies, most if not all of whom have never owned a T-Bird you can see the frustration that might happen. It's up to you whether or not you avail yourself of the knowledge here but it's sound advise!
              Scott
              South Delta, BC, Canada
              1960 White T-Bird, PS, PB that's it
              Red Leather Interior!
              www.squarebirds.org/users/sidewalkman
              Thunderbird Registry #61266
              http://www.squarebirds.org/picture_g...ibrary/trl.htm

              Comment

              • jopizz
                Super-Experienced


                • Nov 23 2009
                • 8308

                #8
                Scott,

                Thanks. I couldn't have said it better myself.

                John
                John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

                Thunderbird Registry #36223
                jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

                https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

                Comment

                • Geoffreybusuttilmalta
                  Experienced
                  • Dec 9 2014
                  • 114

                  #9
                  yeah i know infact here in malta t birds are rare.. so i preferred askin here... you know .. when your talking with buddies at work who are car enthusiasts.. but deep down you know that on this forum you`d find more relaible help ... i just didnt like the way i was answered.. its as if i did something wrong . but anyway... regarding the rotor and dist cap... i think i d use the ones i previously had ... and put them on to the new distributor.. hope it`ll work well .. in that case ... for future reference ... i d be more carefull on what i buy

                  cheeers man

                  Comment

                  • sidewalkman
                    Super-Experienced
                    • Sep 14 2015
                    • 508

                    #10
                    Originally posted by jopizz
                    Scott,

                    Thanks. I couldn't have said it better myself.

                    John
                    I don't think Geoffrey noticed your almost 4800 posts!!! It's almost a full time job!
                    Scott
                    South Delta, BC, Canada
                    1960 White T-Bird, PS, PB that's it
                    Red Leather Interior!
                    www.squarebirds.org/users/sidewalkman
                    Thunderbird Registry #61266
                    http://www.squarebirds.org/picture_g...ibrary/trl.htm

                    Comment

                    • jopizz
                      Super-Experienced


                      • Nov 23 2009
                      • 8308

                      #11
                      Originally posted by sidewalkman
                      I don't think Geoffrey noticed your almost 4800 posts!!! It's almost a full time job!
                      I didn't work this hard when I did have a job. LOL

                      John
                      John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

                      Thunderbird Registry #36223
                      jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

                      https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

                      Comment

                      • simplyconnected
                        Administrator
                        • May 26 2009
                        • 8778

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Geoffreybusuttilmalta
                        ...got a total engine rebuild. and it works very fine. ...sometimes while im drivin i m feeling the bird rattleing.. even the acellerator pedal... what could it be guys... ?
                        Yeah, we thought we were rid of those when we sent them to Malta.

                        You don't give much to go on. John did a great job troubleshooting considering he's 10,000 miles from your car.

                        How do you know the distributor gears are set right?

                        #1 spark plug tower usually has a '1' next to it and molded into the top of the cap. Is that where #1 spark plug WIRE is plugged in to?

                        We can play, 'what if' all day but I would rather you give us more details. - Dave
                        Member, Sons of the American Revolution

                        CLICK HERE to see my custom hydraulic roller 390 FE build.

                        "We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need?"
                        --Lee Iacocca

                        From: Royal Oak, Michigan

                        Comment

                        • bird 60
                          Super-Experienced
                          • Mar 18 2009
                          • 1143

                          #13
                          Geoffrey, as you mentioned I think it's a good idea to try the old Rotor & Distributor Cap & see if there's a difference. I also think an apology to John would be appreciated, & we can start fresh with the questions & answers again.

                          Chris......From OZ.

                          Comment

                          • jopizz
                            Super-Experienced


                            • Nov 23 2009
                            • 8308

                            #14
                            Originally posted by bird 60
                            I also think an apology to John would be appreciated, & we can start fresh with the questions & answers again.

                            Chris......From OZ.
                            Chris,

                            Thanks for lobbying on my behalf. I would also like to put this behind us so we can help Geoffrey fix his problem.

                            John
                            John Pizzi - Squarebirds Administrator

                            Thunderbird Registry #36223
                            jopizz@squarebirds.org 856-779-9695

                            https://www.squarebirds.org/picture_gallery/TechnicalResourceLibrary/trl.htm

                            Comment

                            • Woobie
                              Experienced
                              • Apr 1 2016
                              • 146

                              #15
                              Originally posted by jopizz
                              If it only fires when you press on the cap then it sounds like an issue between the rotor and the cap. Are your rotor and cap new and are you sure they are correct. It may be just poor quality replacement parts. I recommend buying the best quality parts you can find. Try cleaning the #5 contact on the underside of the cap. Maybe some plastic is overlapping it.

                              John
                              Yes I've witnessed the overlapping plastic and the cheap wobbly cap that would never seat properly and finally solved the issue with a cap/rotor that was warranteed for an extra long interval, maybe lifetime.

                              The op could do a continuity test on the #5 plug wire. Probably a waste of time.
                              Austin

                              Comment

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