rough day

[georgeramos]

this morning the Spider had a total loss of power on the freeway. i hadjust gotten on there and was about a mile from the on ramp. luckily I ws able to pull over to the shoulder but it was on a blind curve so was very very scary.

Called roadside assistance and a neighbor who likes to tinker with cars. he hasa bit of fiat and alfa experience and he immediately said "points" I tried adjusting them but couldnt get it started. Turned over fine but wouldnt start.

towed home, changed the points, cap/rotor and condensor. no start. troubleshot spark sequence. my spark seems quite weak, maybe coil going bad.
Then while attempting a start I realized I dont hear the electric furl pump like usually do. Checked it, power to it fine but no whirring sound of it pumping fuel.

Bought a new one, swapped it in, one of the hoses cracked and started leaking in the trunk. bought a new length of hose, swapped it, got it started but really loopy. changed point gap, still off. changed it again to 16 and it runs great...

Update: Been looking at old threads regarding points and I found a reference to dwell and timing AFTER installing new points. Would the timing possibly change by putting in new points? I will check it today but I was wondering how it might happen. I did not loosen the screws that hold the distrubutor and to find TDC I just put the car in gear and nudged it along.

thanks

[PininF]

Only that I wished I had done a mechanical apprenticeship about 30 years ago.

[redcars]

When ever your point gap changes it changes the timing. Therefore if you get you point gap exactly the same the timing does not change. As you points wear the timing changes. That is one of the benefits of electronic ignition your timing does not change over time.