worst cap & rotor ever - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 TT · 09-14-2009, 01:24 PM

I think I have the worst looking cap, rotor & ignition coil ever to come off a running vehicle.

That's right these came off a running truck and it seemed to run OK and was smooth.

Hard to believe it was running.

STOCKISH · 09-14-2009, 01:25 PM

Daaaamn Hard to believe it was running.

68 TT · 09-14-2009, 01:29 PM

Nothing like arc welding with an HEI ignition coil.

Driveway Dreams · 09-14-2009, 01:37 PM

Wow, and I thought mine was bad. You may need to do some heavy adjustments once you get the new ones on. That thing was shot!

68 TT · 09-14-2009, 01:59 PM

Once I get the other carb on there and can set the mixture screws properly I will see if the ignition needs more work.

The HEI module may be on its last leg too after all the heat that was in that cap. I will pick one up and install it for good measure.

It pulls nice to about 4000 rpm but falls flat about there. Once it has closer to the proper jetting we will see how it responds. The stock 170 hp jetting falls way short of what this 330 to 340 hp package needs now.

The idle is a little rougher than it should be when cold but part of that is probably because I had to wire the choke wide open as the RPM intake did not have the provisions for the mechanical choke on it.

I put an oxygen sensor bung into the headers while I was modifying them so I can use my wide band gauge to jet it properly once I get a functional carburetor on there.

TDS-MN · 09-14-2009, 02:00 PM

Wow, never seen one that bad before. AS said, I'm surprised that actually still ran in that shape!!!!

Pyrotechnic · 09-14-2009, 05:36 PM

Looks like the spring/bushing under the coil overheated for some reason. I would get a low resistance bushing if you didn't already.

68 TT · 09-14-2009, 05:47 PM

I put an MSD cap & rotor kit on there to replace this burned up one.

It came with both a stock style carbon / copper button and a low resistance all copper button but advised anything with a radio use the copper / carbon style button so that is what I used.

It is not completely carbon button like the stocker but a combination that looks like a carbon coating around a copper button. It should be much better performing than stock.

68 TT · 09-14-2009, 05:55 PM

I replaced the coil too so only the module is left in the HEI that could be damaged. I didn't have a spare with the right pin configuration so I ran what was in there.

I will pick up a new one just to be safe. Who knows why that happened for sure. I was thinking that it could have just had the carbon button break and the rest is just the aftermath.

The fact that it still ran like this just amazes everybody who sees it and it ran pretty smoothly too, no obvious misses at all.

Alias137 · 09-29-2009, 02:43 PM

Thats pretty bad. I had almost the exact same thing happen in my 86 GMC. I thought the trans. was going since it would stutter at hesitate at higher speeds. Then I was getting ready to go and get the owner transfer smog (since I had just bought it), and changed out the cap, rotor, plugs etc. I found mine the same way. I was amazed it ran, and embarrassed I didn't find it earlier!

Hoods69BadBowTie · 12-21-2009, 06:02 PM

Wow holy crap that's crazy to say the least. I can't believe that it would still run when it was that bad. Gotta be about the worst one I have ever seen in my life lol!

68 TT · 12-21-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoods69BadBowTie

Wow holy crap that's crazy to say the least. I can't believe that it would still run when it was that bad. Gotta be about the worst one I have ever seen in my life lol!

I couldn't believe it ran either. Goes to show you how much power the HEI really makes if it could jump a gap like that.

PO had a serious alcohol problem and neglected a lot of routine maintenance on everything he owned in favor of tossing back a 12-pack or more every night. Luckily that was about the worst of it on the truck.

He has since sobered up and has made it a year clean & sober and really wishes he hadn't given up his truck.

**78 Big10 454** · 12-21-2009, 10:46 PM

Man, you win!

09-14-2009, 01:24 PM	#1
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	worst cap & rotor ever I think I have the worst looking cap, rotor & ignition coil ever to come off a running vehicle. That's right these came off a running truck and it seemed to run OK and was smooth. Hard to believe it was running. Attached Images

09-14-2009, 01:25 PM	#2
STOCKISH Formerly- 1972SuperCheyenne Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wake Forest NC Posts: 5,782	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Daaaamn Hard to believe it was running. __________________ --Josh My Build Thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=799218 A good crossthread is better than Loctite any day. Life is not about what you have, but who you have to share it with.

09-14-2009, 01:29 PM	#3
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Nothing like arc welding with an HEI ignition coil.

09-14-2009, 01:37 PM	#4
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Wow, and I thought mine was bad. You may need to do some heavy adjustments once you get the new ones on. That thing was shot! __________________ -Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here.

09-14-2009, 01:59 PM	#5
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Once I get the other carb on there and can set the mixture screws properly I will see if the ignition needs more work. The HEI module may be on its last leg too after all the heat that was in that cap. I will pick one up and install it for good measure. It pulls nice to about 4000 rpm but falls flat about there. Once it has closer to the proper jetting we will see how it responds. The stock 170 hp jetting falls way short of what this 330 to 340 hp package needs now. The idle is a little rougher than it should be when cold but part of that is probably because I had to wire the choke wide open as the RPM intake did not have the provisions for the mechanical choke on it. I put an oxygen sensor bung into the headers while I was modifying them so I can use my wide band gauge to jet it properly once I get a functional carburetor on there.

09-14-2009, 02:00 PM	#6
TDS-MN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mpls, MN USA Posts: 151	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Wow, never seen one that bad before. AS said, I'm surprised that actually still ran in that shape!!!!

09-14-2009, 05:36 PM	#7
Pyrotechnic Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,930	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Looks like the spring/bushing under the coil overheated for some reason. I would get a low resistance bushing if you didn't already. __________________ 1977 GMC Sierra Grande

09-14-2009, 05:47 PM	#8
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: worst cap & rotor ever I put an MSD cap & rotor kit on there to replace this burned up one. It came with both a stock style carbon / copper button and a low resistance all copper button but advised anything with a radio use the copper / carbon style button so that is what I used. It is not completely carbon button like the stocker but a combination that looks like a carbon coating around a copper button. It should be much better performing than stock.

09-14-2009, 05:55 PM	#9
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: worst cap & rotor ever I replaced the coil too so only the module is left in the HEI that could be damaged. I didn't have a spare with the right pin configuration so I ran what was in there. I will pick up a new one just to be safe. Who knows why that happened for sure. I was thinking that it could have just had the carbon button break and the rest is just the aftermath. The fact that it still ran like this just amazes everybody who sees it and it ran pretty smoothly too, no obvious misses at all.

09-29-2009, 02:43 PM	#10
Alias137 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oakdale ca Posts: 70	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Thats pretty bad. I had almost the exact same thing happen in my 86 GMC. I thought the trans. was going since it would stutter at hesitate at higher speeds. Then I was getting ready to go and get the owner transfer smog (since I had just bought it), and changed out the cap, rotor, plugs etc. I found mine the same way. I was amazed it ran, and embarrassed I didn't find it earlier!

12-21-2009, 06:02 PM	#11
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Wow holy crap that's crazy to say the least. I can't believe that it would still run when it was that bad. Gotta be about the worst one I have ever seen in my life lol! __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

12-21-2009, 10:46 PM	#13
78 Big10 454 78 Big10 454 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 838	Re: worst cap & rotor ever Man, you win!



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