Funny problem

[jimj]

Doing a bit of work on the car and testing things, the engine has been started a few times but not run for long. As has happened before this has resulted in one plug oiling up (as I thought) usually number one. This time the engine was running on 3 and disconnecting plug lead 2 (reading from the dashboard forwards) made no difference, so.......... as before I took the plug out, heated it with a blow torch and popped it back in and reconnected. The engine ran perfectly so I went for a drive. After half a mile the engine stopped altogether and wouldn`t run at all, unless I disconnected No 2, when it would run readily on 3 cylinders. I`ve tried a different plug, swapping the plugs round etc. Every time the engine runs on 3 cylinders until I connect No2 when it stops. I`ve tried disconnecting other leads to see if it was a weak coil but it`s only happening on No2. Is the distributor cap at fault do you think?
Jim
P.S the work I was doing was fitting one of Leslie`s 3.54 diffs. which runs perfectly.

[paddy]

The cylinders are numbered from the front to the back, so it sounds like the one you're talking about is no 3.

The problem sounds quite odd. Are you quite sure the firing order is correct?

Did you try swapping the plug leads themselves around (taking extra care not to get them confused )?

Paddy

[john.p.clegg]

....and by a process of elimination it seems you're right to suspect the dizzy cap....

John

[jimj]

I forgot to mention that after heating the plug with the blow torch, I put it back in while it was still quite hot. Would this have, maybe, caused a breakdown in the HT lead?
Jim

[neilsjuke]

Are you on points if so change the condenser .if electronic put the points back in both can have heat/time in use faults Tc do like to wet the number 1 plug first .
Neil

[john.p.clegg]

Quick afterthought,check the No 2 cam lobe (points) for wear?

John

[jimj]

As suspected it was the distributor cap at fault, a terminal seemed to have loosened. I had a job getting a replacement as the right angled cap is now obsolete. Bestek are having some made, but that will be a few weeks/months, Aldon have a few in stock.
Jim