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Fuel or Fire

B

Boone

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Hello. I have a '69 Satellite with 440, 030 over, RPM Performer Heads, Hi-rise with Holley 850, and Mopar Performance Ignition box. My issue is that the car can go from running strong to can't get over 2500 RPM instantly. I can't find a re-occurring condition that would trigger this. Not even sure if it's starving for fuel (as it sounds) or if I have a ignition problem. Any assistance will be appreciated.
 
Fuel starvation would be repeatable, meaning it would do the same thing under the same circumstances.
Check all the basic ignition stuff first, especially the coil, cap rotor and wires for corrosion.
Check the reluctor pickup coil air gap (a quick check is about 3 pieces of paper thickness).
Next try swapping out the ECU. Even a stock replacement should run well up to 5000 rpm.
My guess is the ECU, but just a guess.
 
Check the temp of your coil when this happens.. If its too hot to touch id look into that being an issue.
 
Ignition would be obvious with audible missing. I'm going with fuel issues - check for crap in the bowls and or jets. A plugged sock on the pickup is also a possibility as well as crud in the tank.
 
The filter sock on the fuel pickup may be plugged in gas tank(unless it's been removed). I have had them cause similar trouble as described ....but it usually gets worse over time.
 
Last edited:
Check your ballast resistor to see if it has a small crack. They can open up with heat and cause trouble.
 
Don't over look possibility of worn fuel pump push rod.
 
Boone said:
Hello. I have a '69 Satellite with 440, 030 over, RPM Performer Heads, Hi-rise with Holley 850, and Mopar Performance Ignition box. My issue is that the car can go from running strong to can't get over 2500 RPM instantly. I can't find a re-occurring condition that would trigger this. Not even sure if it's starving for fuel (as it sounds) or if I have a ignition problem. Any assistance will be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Everyone is asking the same question...fuel or spark....all with good advice listed. A fuel pressure gage would help you diagnose the fuel system (just saying). The ECU/ignition boxes do tend to act like that right before they go out (swap in a new one). If it happens instantly then GOES AWAY instantly just as fast.....I'm betting on the ignition box too.
 
wilmacmike said:
What about a plugged vent on the gas cap?
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's possible, easy to check.. When it acts up stop & pull the gas cap off... If it's under vacuum & makes a whoosh sound...

BTW like the "Old LaHonda Rd" sign... Might have seen it a time or two...
 
Coil, ignition or something electrical if it run fine when cold.
 
Thank you all for the ideas. Sorry to be late responding. The fuel pressure is 6.5 lbs consistently. The coil was replaced with a MSD Blaster II last week and did seem to help overall but didn't solve the issue. I have not checked coil for excessive heat but will next time it happens. Ballast resister has not been checked. The cap and rotor had slight buildup but cleaning didn't help. I'm leaning toward the ign. box but don't know how to test. I'll look into this further. Thanks again.
 
Check the reluctor gap.... Spec is .008-.012... I've seen intermittent no starts with the gap at .012... Stay to the tight side... And yo must use a brass feeler gauge...
 
Thanks Wild One. Will do. I've read that the MSD distributor is bad to have build up in the cap and on rotor. Are you familiar with this? Really appreciate your help.
 
Boone said:
Thanks Wild One. Will do. I've read that the MSD distributor is bad to have build up in the cap and on rotor. Are you familiar with this? Really appreciate your help.
Click to expand...

Build up on any cap/rotor isn't good, it can interfere with the spark travel & even cause crossfire...
 
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