Missing/Power Loss!

[Boston]

KISS method.
Pull the dizzy cap. Check the points are ok. Once pulled into the garage and car was fine. Yet car wouldn't run the next day.
Points had broken up. How the hell it ran before is beyond me.

[jonnyc]

I have a Crane ignition in there, but I will check for any broken bits.

[dunerunner]

What did you find out?

[jonnyc]

1. Son left for TX and I now have a spare Cherokee.
2. End of the school year and I have no possible excuses for putting off grading.
Hope to check the firing order first tomorrow, and then look for debris in the dizzy, and if nothing, I'll probably adjust the valves. With the rocker cover off I can see if there are any obviously damaged valve stems or springs.

[dunerunner]

Ugh!! Grading.....

Was just curious....

Best!!

[o2batsea]

Vacuum leak? You said the vac was down. See if there is a bad connection or loose fitting around the carb. I'd also be sure the dizzy is locked down, but it probably isn't timing.

[Erik M.]

Vacuum leak? You said the vac was down. See if there is a bad connection or loose fitting around the carb. I'd also be sure the dizzy is locked down, but it probably isn't timing.

Check for splits or cracks in the vac hose, too.

[printjunky]

I just went through a similar 5-day ordeal with loss of power in a similar system (88, 2.25, gas, pertronix, Rochester 1bbl) under load (uphill), and after eliminating EVERYTHING once (new wires (did observe some arcing with old wires), new plugs, new coil, timing checked, valves set, compression check, vacuum checks (did fix a vacuum leak, as well), NEW FUEL PUMP (electric) all new fuel lines, pickup tube checked, tank vent checked) it turned out that my brand new out-of-the-box fuel pump was not pushing enough volume. The first clue that I FINALLY clued into was that when it would sputter and die, the filter (clear, up top, easily visible) was EMPTY of fuel. A 42GPH fuel pump will FILL a filter! So problem solved, eventually.

So I would add fuel pressure/volume to the list. Though I'd not bother with a gauge, if it were me, I'd just unhook the line from the carb and watch it (probably point it right at the top of the carb!). If plenty of fuel seems to be flowing you're probably good. If it seems weak it's probably starving (thirsting?).

Big upside, my daily driver got a helluva tuneup. Man, does she purrrrrrrr!

[jonnyc]

Added, thanks!