So many questions and happenings today. Need help.

[SteveSS]

I've had the 1969 Charger SE at a Mopar friend's house for a couple of weeks. No one could figure out a couple of problems the car has had since we bought it 6 years ago. One was the carb/kick down setup the other was the power brakes. He fixed both issues. We drove it around the block a few times did some good acceleration runs everything was great.

This is a very original 383 AT car it still has the points ignition. Driving it home at highway speeds about 15 miles down the roads it started to cut out. We pulled over and put in some fresh Premium gas. No change. Big power loss and starting to backfire. It kept getting worse but we were able to limp it home. We had already planned to switch to an HEI ignition but there is everything from a $160 system to a $550 MSD. Probably a new coil.

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated. If you need more info let me know.

 

[Mick56]

Check the point gap. Backfire can be a sign the gap has closed up.

 

[ruffcut]

Points ignition is very simple, but more than up to the job for a street vehicle. Just have to do some maint from time to time. ruffcut

 

[1 Wild R/T]

Put a Petronix 3 in it & get back to driving it...

 

[1 Wild R/T]

I basically agree Points are fine... Accept I've had such bad lucky with condensers lately I'll stick with my Petronix 3 suggestion...

 

[toolmanmike]

Points ignition is very simple, but more than up to the job for a street vehicle. Just have to do some maint from time to time. ruffcut

Or the OP could throw $$$'s at it and still have the issue. Diagnose then repair. The simplest part of the diagnostic flow chart is ignition or fuel. If it ran good and all of a sudden it didn't. it has to be one or the other unless he blew it up.

 

[khryslerkid]

Loss of power and back firing is probably the condenser.

 

[toolmanmike]

I basically agree Points are fine... Accept I've had such bad lucky with condensers lately I'll stick with my Petronix 3 suggestion...

Exactly! New tune up parts from the store are junk. Condensers being the worst part of all. @HALIFAXHOPS has a bunch of new old aftermarket parts that are top quality that he sells.

 

[toolmanmike]

Loss of power and back firing is probably the condenser.

Yep!

 

[eldubb440]

Loss of power and back firing is probably the condenser.

i always kept a spare in the glove box.......... 90% of all carb issues are electrical

 

[toolmanmike]

i always kept a spare in the glove box.......... 90% of all carb issues are electrical

True that!

 

[WileE]

Points, rotor, condensor... points,rotor,condensor... points,rotor,condensor... etc.etc. That was THE routine tune-up with plugs we did a billion times. Wonder why ? That's why they evolved to electronic ignition. Unless it's a big $$$ car, trash it and convert to an electronic setup.

 

[Turboomni]

If the condenser works leave it in there when you change the points till it doesn't work. Halifaxhops is the bomb!!! No reason to not run points

 

[QOTHL]

Make sure there aren't any vacuum leaks.

 

[khryslerkid]

Make sure there aren't any vacuum leaks.

That would suck!

 

[1 Wild R/T]

That would suck!

Sure would...

 

[Potts]

You can convert to Electronic Ignition and still keep the original look.
Most guys think I'm running Points ignition, the ECU is hidden, the resistor is two prong, using a repop original looking electronic voltage regulator.
Even the cap on the electronic distributor is color tan, like the original points type.

 

[HALIFAXHOPS]

Points are find for 10K miles if they are good parts run from the Parts store stuff look for pre 80 made stuff. Eleactronic has there adadvantages also. Really depends what you want to do. Hey just a note on cap color all mopar post 68 are tan caps elect and points. Just FYI