Sprint engine down,bit of a failure
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longboarder
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Sprint engine down,bit of a failure
On a lovely hot Bank Holiday Monday, the Dolomite Sprint powered kit car was behaving admirably as I wound my way around Dartmoor. 60 miles into the trip developed a misfire and the voltage gauge dropped to zero. Then we stopped, in the most barren place on Dartmoor, it died. Checked fuel, checked power to the coil, checked for vacuum in the fuel tank, finally removed plus to discover no spark. It seems the little red box I fitted a few years back instead of plugs and points for reliable service failed. Just collapsed. It was one of those cheap ones for a land rover as used by many on here. The annoying thing is I could not do anything, (5 hour wait to be recovered) if I had plugs and points etc. I would probably had spares on board. Maybe this is a lesson?? Still, at least the sun was shining and many people stopped and offered assistance or the use of their mobile, restoring my faith in human nature, The RAC man was great, very concerned that we were stranded for so long and took a keen interest in the car and engine.
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Carledo
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Re: Sprint engine down,bit of a failure
The electronic ignition kits are so cheap nowadays, it's almost worth carrying a spare one of those! They may not fail as often as points and condensers and they don't go out of tune every 5 minutes - but they DO fail from time to time (probably made in China after all!)
This is an object lesson in modern technology, to wit, it can't be fixed at the side of the road with a hammer and a screwdriver! Carrying a spare for a part that is supposed to be "fit and forget" may sound a little paranoid but I believe Mr Murphy always has the last word and I spend most of my life trying to outwit him!
Steve
This is an object lesson in modern technology, to wit, it can't be fixed at the side of the road with a hammer and a screwdriver! Carrying a spare for a part that is supposed to be "fit and forget" may sound a little paranoid but I believe Mr Murphy always has the last word and I spend most of my life trying to outwit him!
Steve
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!
Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!
Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.
Re: Sprint engine down,bit of a failure
After my condenser and coil failed on the middle of Kings Cross junction, I changed to the Magnetronic system.
However, for me Sod is always near, thus I have a dizzy baseplate
with old points system ready in the boot, and a spare coil.
However, for me Sod is always near, thus I have a dizzy baseplate
with old points system ready in the boot, and a spare coil.
NRW 581W Sprint
On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.
On the motorway no one can hear me sing!
Construed as a public service, self preservation in reality.
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longboarder
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Re: Sprint engine down,bit of a failure
Just had a conversation with my old boss, who rebuilds old XK Jags, he says that they have returned to points due to the alarming amount of failures in the Jaguar camp. Some have even bought "new" distributors with the stuff all fitted and it has not started the engine before it failed. So as said lesson learnt, carry a spare, it was going really well, so a bit gutted. Belt and braces now then.