1973 85hp Chrysler quirky little issue

[snwwlkr]

I have run this thing like crazy since I got it up and running last summer. Never a problem. Just recently though it started doing something that I'm pretty much 100% sure is electrical and wondering if any of you guys have experienced this. A few trips back it was running down the lake and just cut off like you turned off the key. Then it occasionally will not start for several minutes then fires right up. Thought it was probably the ignition switch but dont think so after testing a few wires at the engine terminal strip. red is hot and blue is hot when key is on. blue is also hot at the distributor when key is on. As these issues go of course I can hardly ever get it to do it in the driveway even after running, cutting off and on many times over a few hours time. Tried checking for spark on the few times it acted funny but as soon as I put the spark tester on she fires up. I have taken needle nose pliers and with the motor running have moved arround every wire and connection I can with no effect.

Also seems to be more like a issue that pops up after its warmed up but not 100% on that one yet.

Heres the weird thing... When it acts like its not firing, instead of continuing to crank it I can just leave the key in the on position for about 5-10 seconds and shes fires up instantly when I turn it to start...

CDI?
Coil?
has the distributer without points... could it be in there..??

Battery is super hot
have inline clear fuel filter and fuel looks fine, even pulled the bowls for a little looksy.
Put in new plugs..
compression is 150psi all 3.
Runs to smooth to be out of time or fuel issue it seems..

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1973 85hp Chrysler quirky little issue

If she has a tin-can circuit breaker and if the circuit breaker trips, the engine will die--suddenly. You will then need to wait for the breaker to cool and reset. There is no reset button. This is because the circuit breaker controls power to the switch and the blue wire is power from the switch to the CD box electronics. --No power, no spark.

Red to the CD box is always hot, even with the switch off. It takes power directly from the battery. This red charges the capacitors inside the CD box. That is why you will get a small spark at the battery when connecting the battery terminals.

Look at the red and blue wires where they go under the flywheel. They tend to rise and sporadically contact the flywheel. The insulation rubs off and engine vibration makes the raw wires contact the flywheel, tripping the breaker.

 

[hbryant123]

Re: 1973 85hp Chrysler quirky little issue

I had basically the same problem and it was the cd box