Need Help

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unplugged
Posts: 94
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:22 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Huntington, NY

Need Help

Post by unplugged »

81 Spider, MegaSquirted - Cams, Head work, Exhaust, Lightened Flywheel, Located Long Island, NY
Background
Car was originally running on an older version of a home built MegaSquirt System. It started to stall at TL's so I thought I would swap it out for a newer professionally built unit. Figuring either my build was bad or maybe I would add a better active idle control loop. After the swap it ran really badly for a few days. Since then it is almost a flower pot.

The ignition had also been swapped to use the EDIS system. As part of the troubleshooting process I put the dizzy back in so I could focus just on fuel. Since then I can't get it to start. I dry timed it by setting crank to TDC then lined up the small notch on the Dizzy with the rear of rotor. I am getting spark but card won't even fire. If I turn the Dizzy almost 90deg ClockWise I can get it to cough a bit. At this point I am at a loss as to what to try next. Any thoughts of where to go next.
Because it has been modified no mechanic will take a look at it.
'81 Spider
Jon124
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2014 12:43 am
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Winnipeg MB Canada

Re: Need Help

Post by Jon124 »

Has your cam timing jumped due to loose or worn timing belt? Have you checked compression?
1974 Honda CB350F
1981 Fiat Spider 2000
unplugged
Posts: 94
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:22 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: Need Help

Post by unplugged »

I rechecked the timing and it is spot on.
Compression is +/- 4lbs between cylinders. I recall 185 - 190 I think. I have it written down at home.
'81 Spider
Jon124
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Jul 17, 2014 12:43 am
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Winnipeg MB Canada

Re: Need Help

Post by Jon124 »

When you installed the distributor did you align it to fire on cylinder 4 with all the cam and crank marks lined up?
1974 Honda CB350F
1981 Fiat Spider 2000
unplugged
Posts: 94
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:22 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: Need Help

Post by unplugged »

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
I was about to reply 'of course' but decided I should double check when I got home.
I was 180 deg off.
I have aftermarket cam wheels with no marks. The cams themselves are marked but can only be seen if you removed the oil fill cap. (thats my excuse anyway). Pulled dizzy, rotated rotor 180, reinstalled.
Fired right up.
I needed someone to slap me straight. Thanks again.
'81 Spider
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