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Hi. I need some help. I have a XB Fairmont 351 Cleveland. It has a problem with idling and then it stalls. It will run for about 5 seconds at high revs then stalls. It will start straight away then stall. It has an electronic distributor. I have replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs, leads,dizzy cap and rotor, coil, dizzy module. Also adjusted the timing.The Carby has had a new kit put through it. Also a new alternator. Could it be a faulty distributor? Does anybody have any ideas. I am lost. Please help. Thanks Phil.
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Does it start then die once you let go of the key?
If so it sounds like you have a dud ballast resistor.
When cranking the resistor gets bypassed but once started the bypass is off.
Check that you have volts at the coil with ignition in the on position.
HTH Jim.. |
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Hi Jim It will start ok, but you need to be on the throttle to keep it going. when I pullup to an intersection it will stall. it's manual ( not that helps) but once the revs go down it want's to die. but starting again is no problem. but out on the freeway it goes so well!!! So to answer your question. Does it die after I let go of the key? yes if you don't keep the rev's up but the idol and mixture has been screwed right out and also in. So a Ballast resistor? that's the coil right? ( excuse my ignorance) I have replaced the coil!!! To check that I have volts on the "on position" do I just turn the key to the accessories and see what comes up on the dash? I'm not too sure if those red warning lights work. I will see if they do. If that fails. any other ideas? I have spend almost $800 sending the carby away getting done including the alternator and other parts. the beer fund is looking grim for this weekend :-( Does anyone know of good mecanics in Canberra (ACT) to help me with this if I cannot fix this myself? I will get back to you Jim. thanks for your feedback always appreciated. Cheers Phill
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Hi Phil. Ballast resistor knocks 12V down to 8v for the coil. The idea is that when you crank the engine the coil gets a straight 12V so works harder for a fatter spark.
If it is running when the ignition is on it is not the ballast resistor. so no point looking for volts at the coil because they are there OK.
Whereabouts are you?. I may be able to have alook at it tomorrow. PM me your phone number if you want.
Sounds as if you may have a fair sized air leak into your engine.
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Hello again Jim. The car is at a mates place just out of Bungendore. we have been working on it as he has got the room and I'm storing it there as I'm getting another shed built. My mate's name is Pete and his happy to drive it into Canberra if you think it's too far to drive. I don't know how to PM but here is Pete's number 0418 756 516 his happy to assist. If you need parts Pete would be happy to help and I'll fix him up when I get back from Sydney. Pete Know's the history as we have been working on it together. I understand the Ballast resistor now after you have explained it to me. Gee. a leak in the engine :-( don't like the sound of that! but Pete did menttioned somthing like that to me. let's just hope it's somthing simple!!! ( I hope. ha ha ) Do you have a mechanic worksop in the ACT? because Pete and I are restoring his Landau. he is looking for somone to help him to rebuild his motor. you may want to ask him when you give him a call if you do that kind of thing. If you need to call me my number is 0413 415 435. Thanks again Jim. I appreciate you help again. Cheers Phill.
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It's unusual for an XB ballast resistor to just 'die'. These are of the NiChrome wire type (same as Holden) & are far more reliable long term than the ceramic block type. They are wound into the harness & general last the life of the car. Unless butchered in some way it should be fine.
Having said that, I notice that the OP has mentioned it has electronic ignition now fitted. Depending on what type of system this is, will depend on what wiring modifications have been carried out (bodgy or otherwise).
Again, re-reading the symptoms, it does sound very much like a carby (idle circuit) fault. I realise that you've had it overhauled by a specialist, but it would be a lot better if the specialist could finish the job off on the car. A carry overhauled on the bench is only getting half the job done.
Dr Terry |
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I agree with Terry on the ballast resistor and do suspect that running 8 volts through an electronic ignition system designed to run 12V would cause a less than ideal spark but that would show its ugly head under load more than anything else?
Also regarding the carby idle circuit. Did the symptoms change at all after the carby rebuild? Is the rebuilt carby the old carby or a different one altogether?
It could be something as stupidly simple as the PCV (crankcase ventilation) system letting too much air in.
FWIW I'm in Karabar.
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Hi is it a ford bosch electronic distributor. also check if 13 to 14 volts at the + on coil with engine running. 351s also had different size distributor shaft, in the block. try spray some petrol into the cabie as it starts to die to see if it will pick up. Tony
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Hey Guys, Dr Terry - Ok the ballast resistor is pretty hardy then,,, well I don't even know where it is!!! lol as for the dizzy I will take it to the sparky down the road on Monday and will let you know. Jim - It's the same carby and was doing this before I took the carby Off. and I will check out the PCV system. Antoni - not too sure if it is a Bosch dizzy. I will check. but I will try the trick of spraying petrol in the carby as it starts to die! Cheers guy. that sort of info is very helpful. I will get back to you all. Cheers Phill.
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Hey Guys, just an update. The sparky says the volts and everything look ok. then he got the mechanic to have a look at it and his scratching his head. and tomorrow his bringing his mate around who is a carby dude and is going to have a look at it. this time the carby is on the car and see how it goes with it running. it's got us all scratching our heads. I'll let you know how we go! Cheers Phill
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Stupid question here Phill but I'm guessing you've checked the vacuum hoses and the EGR valve?
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Hi Paul, Hmm not too sure what you mean by that! lol (sorry)
But what I can say is that I have had a sparky looking at it and gave it the all clear. and a guy who does carbys and he thinks its ok. and they got a engine rebuilder and he thinks it could be something internal. either the heads or in the motor. so I'm waiting for him the strip the motor down to see what is wrong! so, what is the EGR valve and where is it located? just guessing is it the part of the manifold that has the hoses connected to it? I will ask the mechanic about that! Thanks for that information - Paul Cheers Phill
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Hello again Paul. the mechanic says the hoses are all ok. there are three cylinders running on less than half compression. so I guess the heads are coming off first! I'll keep you informed! Cheers Phill
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Hey Guys the heads came off and two valves are sticking. and there is heaps of carbon build up. the Mechanic says the last owner must of just been putting straight unleaded into it! so the heads are getting done and he says about 5 weeks away as his flat out busy!
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