240z died in traffic yesterday....

[RJK]

Havent had this experience in a long time, but I'm sure it happens to the best of us.... my specs:

 

1972 240z. MSD ignition system installed recently, original distributor. New plugs last year, new wires. For the last few months, I've had periodic issues at low RPM(stopped at lights) with the car stalling; once I'm over 1500 RPM, engine has run smoothly. Stalled at a light, and would not start. Took the air filter cover off, blew it out, and it still didnt start. Eventually had it towed back to my garage (today).

 

I never have had to address the fuel pump, as I've never had problems with it. Fuel pump very audibly runs, and I smell fuel when goosing the throttle when trying to start it today. I know until I throw a fuel gauge on it, and a spark tester, I am basically guessing as to the culprit, but in the interest of upgrading the car, should I consider a new distributor? If so, what's the most reliable unit that will play nicely with an MSD system? Oh, one more data point....Over the last 2 months or so, the battery gauge at the dash would periodically swing up to the far right, and twitch around. It would do this for 5-10 seconds, and then return to a 12-13V ish location on the gauge. 

 

Thanks for any thoughts!

[Zed Head]

Could you describe the MSD ignition system?  Your 240Z came with points and a ballast resistor.  Are you using the points to run an MSD ignition box?

[dutchzcarguy]

If you smell the fuel.. and talk about a non original ignition.. i bet it's the ignition that's the culprit..

I don't drive much i got orig points and stuff and renewed the points last year or so ... for the first time. they were stil okay but i thought let's put new ones in..  never had one problem with it.

On 7/15/2023 at 8:21 PM, RJK said:

MSD ignition system installed recently

Hihi.. i thought oh..oh... when i read that..  I'm sorry but i don't like electronics in a 240z that don't belong..  (Maybe it because as i'm a electronics engineer.. i know what can and will go wrong hahaha...)