Hard starting and voltage to coil

[72plus2]

I have always had to crank my 72 federal +2 quite a bit to get it started. I am not sure why. However when the cold weather arrived here in Ontario Canada this week my car wouldn't start. I searched the archive and found a suggestion to try starter fluid and to check the voltage at the coil.

Fortunately, after spraying the starter fluid in the stromberg carbs it fired up on the first try. However, the voltage at the coil is 1 volt less than at the battery. I tested this by placing my multitester between the + connector on the coil and the battery feed of the starter solenoid. I also tested a number of other circuts in the engine bay. I think all of them bar one have a good voltage.

I have several questions... What would be a likely cause of the voltage drop? How do I fix it? Will fixing it solve my starting difficulties? Will fixing it restore missing horsepower?


Thanks


Chris

[john.p.clegg]

I don't think a 1v drop should cause you any problems,and as for reducing horsepower I think that is a negative also,unless someone knows different...........
John

[twincamman]

welll ether on the coil will certainly entertain the neighbors when the fire department arrives to extinguish the resulting 2 alarm fire in your garage --------- find who ever gave you that information and kick him soundly in the rear ----DON'T USE ETHER FOR ANYTHING EXCEPT DOWN THE CARB -------if you want to displace water 0n the coil use wd40 --- I speak from experience -----quick start shouldn't even be sold to the public --we are not responsible enough to handle it --look to the distributor check the points and clean the rotor ----spray wd40 on the wires to dispel moisture ---- and change the condenser and plugs if the timings correct it will start all day on the first power stroke -------of course the obvious may be happening the coil may be junk -ed

[Elanintheforest]

Check out your main earth points...battery and engine...to ensure that they make clean contact, with no rust or paint. I cured a similar problem on my Elan simply by doing this.
Mark

[type26owner]

Chris,
You likely have the cold starting coil mod already. Here's a link that describes it. Look in the back of the Lotus manual for a full description of the upgrade. The voltage drop is only meaningful if you do it while the engine is being cranked over with the starter.
http://www.lotuselan.net/publish/lsb_cold_start_coil.shtml

Peroxide crystals of ether are extremely explosive. My advice is to get rid of any ether from your home if you value your spouse or offspring lives.

1v drop across the wiring loom is normal. The loom is not super-conducting afterall.