Intermittent Complete Power Loss

[ONZEDGE]

Hello. I drive a 71 daily driver and it is very reliable until yesterday. Driveing down the fwy at about 3400 rpm the engine stopped for a split second. The remainder of the drive was uneventful. This morning howebver it happened again 4 or 5 times during a 20 mile drive to the office.

Coming home it became more frequent and it actually stalled while driving down my street in 1st gear. Following this stall was a loud backfire.

When it happens it is like someone kills the ignition -- just for a second.

It is freshly tuned and I have a new ignition switch. I run a mallory dual point with an MSD coil. All of the connections look good.

Please help with this puzzler.

[Curtis240Z]

Try replacing your condenser. My friend's 240Z setup with the Mallory always ate condensers.

[ONZEDGE]

I always experienced condensors either working or not working -- never sometimes yes and sometimes no -- was I mistaken?

[Curtis240Z]

Well my buddies Z when the condensers began to fail, would let the car run for awhile then when the car is fully warmed up (and on a trip of course) it would fail. So he got good at changing them at the roadside....

[ONZEDGE]

Thanks Curtis -- I will check it out tonight.

[ONZEDGE]

Nope -- not the condensor -- Any other ideas out there? I am feeling stupid.

[Curtis240Z]

The electrical system on a 240Z is very simple so if it isn't a connection problem, it has to be one or more of a few electrical items. Ignition coils can exhibit failure when they get hot then work again as they cool off.

[ONZEDGE]

Replacing the condensor seems to have worked, actually. Thanks for the input.

[Zulaytr]

ONZEDGE

Here is another thing for you to check- I once had the brass connector fail on the wire that goes to the distributor. It cracked and broke inside the clear outer protector, maybe yellow now from age, so if you looked at it you would swear the wire was connected. It would arc back and forth and make intermittent contact. Since it controls the ignition circuit going to the points it was like you turned off the key. If that connector is okay then be certain to check them all. Good luck