Not starting....Frustrated

[cma]

Story:

New rebuilt Engine, AMC 360.
New Distributor
New Ignition Cable
New Fuelpump
New Starter
New Ignition Switch
and so on....
Some weeks ago i had a engine fire started from the distributor.
Again, new Distributor (complete), Ignition Cables, and repair of some wires away from the distributor.
Drove for some days, then she started to sputtering, and died when shift into R or D. Tried some things to find the failure, and it ended up that she did not start anymore.....
This week she is in the shop and the mechanic guy had checked again the correct timing, extended the Ignition Spark and she run....could start her some times again and drive, no problem.....(they did not more)
Now they want to find the failure......

What you think? How could we limit the possible failures????

[440sixpack]

Not sure what year you have or what ignition .


I'm not sure if you're saying it starts sometimes or it won't start.

There are lots of things it could be but it's hard to guess with such limited information.

[Don S]

..

Do you have photos of the fire damage?
I would guess it would be a shorted wire in a bundle or a part time connector.

Good Luck with it.. Don S..

[cma]

Ok, 1982 Cherokee, Stock Ignition. She won`t start anymore.
The shop just adjusted ignition, and could start her with "extended" main ignition cable ( put the cable out of the coil while another one was cranking, and get it nearer to coil until she fired up).

Not sure what year you have or what ignition .


I'm not sure if you're saying it starts sometimes or it won't start.

There are lots of things it could be but it's hard to guess with such limited information.

[cma]

No, no pic, but the fire was "only" central in the distributor area. The wiring away from the coil they had to fix, 3 wires crimped to harness.
In my opinion it could only be a electrical issue.

..

Do you have photos of the fire damage?
I would guess it would be a shorted wire in a bundle or a part time connector.

Good Luck with it.. Don S..

[babywag]

Do not overlook the possibility that some of your ?new? parts could be bad.
Happens all the time, quality is generally lacking of aftermarket parts.

There is the ?wiggle test? that can sometimes help isolate electrical issues.
When engine is running exercise caution while ?wiggling? wires around.
If you can replicate/create an fault you?ve found the problem wire(s).

Fire & flood wreak havoc with electrical systems, difficult & expensive to repair.
If you believe it to be an electrical issue and having a hard time repairing it, try to find an auto electrical shop.
One that specializes in only vehicle electrical repairs.
Many(most) shops/mechanics sometimes struggle in this area, or do poor quality repairs.

[cma]

Thanks for your Input!
Will give this Information to the Shop.

Do not overlook the possibility that some of your ?new? parts could be bad.
Happens all the time, quality is generally lacking of aftermarket parts.

There is the ?wiggle test? that can sometimes help isolate electrical issues.
When engine is running exercise caution while ?wiggling? wires around.
If you can replicate/create an fault you?ve found the problem wire(s).

Fire & flood wreak havoc with electrical systems, difficult & expensive to repair.
If you believe it to be an electrical issue and having a hard time repairing it, try to find an auto electrical shop.
One that specializes in only vehicle electrical repairs.
Many(most) shops/mechanics sometimes struggle in this area, or do poor quality repairs.

[440sixpack]

Anything can be fixed, but you may want to consider putting an HEI distributor on it and being done with it. you need 1 hot wire , 8 plug wires and everything else you can toss in the trash.

You'll probably have more money in trying to fix an old set up than you'd have in a simple upgrade.