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The car ran very well at an outing, I parked it and the next weekend it would not start. There was a hint that one cylinder might have fired before it went totally dead. The distributor and coil are about three years old. I have Webers blocking easy access to the distributor. Where would you start the investigation of the problem? I'm hoping for a miracle.

Thank you,



Tom

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  • (4) 48IDA Webers 2
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Thank you again for the reponses.

I will look at the ignition system in greater detail once I start the investigation in earnest. I've always used the MO of replacing the easiest part to access first. If that wasn't it then move on to the more difficult. Sometimes that works. Of course, Murphy's law usually works against you, and when it does you've installed all new parts. My Pantera consists of mostly new moving parts as a result, some that I didn't need to replace.

I wish I had never replaced the rubber bushings with poly. that will be my next post.

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Hey Ron, good to hear from you. I feared that your answer is the likely cause. The coil wire is fine, so it's the distributor.  With the Webers the distributor is next to impossible to access. I can't even see the clips, every thing has to be done blind unless I pull off the two front Webers. Can you see the distributor in the attached? See what I mean.  Spring is almost here, why now?



Thank you,



Tom

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You access the distributor from inside the cabin by removing the interior panel. Removing the decklid won't give you anymore access then you already have.



You have not indicated what ignition system you are running. It sounds suspiciously like an MSD, aka, "might suddenly die"

It could also be as simple as one of the cap retaining clips popped off.



I've got Webers too. You need to climb in the engine compartment,  lay across the headers, to reach the distributor but you really can't service it from there, just check to see if the cap is still on right.

Last edited by panteradoug

I don't have a MSD system, it's merely an aftermarket distributor from a speed shop, the brand I don't recall.

The only logical access is from above. I've spent much time contorting myself in the engine compartment, but use pillows and blankets to make a resting place. This is the first time that I wasn't running a Holly when the distributor quit on me. After owning the car for 41 years I've spent much time nesting on the transmission. The Webers have me back there regularly, but they look so cool and perform very well when they want to. It's worth the hassle. I bought the car with Webers raced by Hugh Kleinpeter, but bought a more streetable  set last year.

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  • Kleinpeter Daytona

with much contortion I pulled off the distributor cap from behind the Webers. Naturally there is no visible evidence of a problem. Getting at the distributor is a supreme effort, so rather than starting with a new cap and rotor, I prefer to replace the distributor, coil and condenser. Another thread on the Forum asked for advice concerning the best direction for a new distributor but the answers were highly technical and confusing for someone that doesn't have a clue when it comes to this electronic stuff. Can you suggest a plug and play system? Ideally no vacuum advance, too much trouble with Webers. Also, as you know, it can't be a very tall distributor because of the conflict with the screen.

If you do a search for replacements the most common are MSD (although some have had multiple failures of various components) or Duraspark. I'm using a Pertronix distributor but it doesn't fit under the screen. Diameter is good but it sits a bit high. You may be able to install a Pertronix unit in your existing distributor.

Various threads:

https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/electronic-ignition

https://pantera.infopop.cc/top...hich-ignition-system

https://pantera.infopop.cc/topic/electronic-ignition

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