Can't start my P6B

Saturn Simon

New Member
My 1973 P6B is refusing to start at the moment. The starter motor is working but it won't fire.

I've just replaced the points and condensor and set the gap. The leads seem fine. The spark plugs seem fine. Distributor cap and rotor armn look fine. The ignition coil is fairly new.

Any ideas?

PS: Please bear with me as I'm not a great mechanical mind.

Thanks guys.
 
Hi Simon,

Don't worry - we've all been there!

Did it start before you replaced the points and condensor? If so, have you tried putting the old ones back in? There are quite a few threads on here about dodgy ignition components around.

After that you'd be best to go back to basics and work through in a logical manner...there's a good write up on troubleshooting points ignition systems >here<

Let us know how you get on.

Cheers,
 
Hello Simon,

The problem is either fuel or spark related.

To test if the fuel is flowing, remove the plastic pipe or hose as the case may be from the top of the fuel filter. Crank over the engine, does fuel spurt up from the filter? You only need to see this happen once, not necessary to send fuel everywhere.

To test for spark, lift the lead from the distributor that comes from the coil. Turn the ignition key around as if to start the engine,..do you see a spark from the end of the lead?

See how you go with these and then come back and let everyone know what you discover.

Ron.
 
Just to be clear... It didn't start before I changed the points and condensor, which is why I replaced them. I have another set I can try if that helps.

By the way, what purpose does the piece of fluff that comes with the points at one end serve? I've always left it on, but was wondering if it should be there.
 
Saturn Simon wrote,..
what purpose does the piece of fluff that comes with the points at one end serve? I've always left it on, but was wondering if it should be there.

Hello Simon,

Now bear in mind that it has been quite some years since I have had to adjust a set of points,..all the P6Bs that I know of locally run electronic ignitions these days,...so from memory the piece of felt sits against the cam of the distributor for the purpose of holding some oil which you should apply to it. In this way it lubricates the cam so that the nylon heel of the points lasts longer.

Modern condensors (capacitors) are in a word rubbish, so don't be at all surprised if it had failed prior to you using it. Try the tests I suggested first prior to changing all again. What is the outcome?

Ron.
 
Moisture build up in the cylynder head? possibly weeping head gasket?
One thing to do is eliminate the points altogether and go for an electronic ignition upgrade such as the pertronix unit or other similar units, I see in an earlier thread there is a very cheap unit available in the UK via ebay under 30 pounds. I my self have fitted the Pertronix unit and have noted an appriciable performance advantage over my perfectly functioning OEM points system.

Graeme
 
Ah right! So the key question, have you ever had it running in your ownership? If so what has happened engine wise since then - tell us everything even if you don't think it is relevant!

Also is it Auto or Manual? If manual a push or tow start is usually much more effective for reluctant engines. If Auto make sure you have a very good battery in place, plus at least one slave battery hooked up in parallel to allow for lots of churning!

I'll reserve further comment till your reply, but if it is a first start after long lay up I'm sure all of us on here can sort
you out!

Regards

Chris
 
chrisyork said:
Ah right! So the key question, have you ever had it running in your ownership? If so what has happened engine wise since then - tell us everything even if you don't think it is relevant!

Also is it Auto or Manual? If manual a push or tow start is usually much more effective for reluctant engines. If Auto make sure you have a very good battery in place, plus at least one slave battery hooked up in parallel to allow for lots of churning!

Yes, it was running fine until last week.... Although about three weeks prior to that it broke down.... There was a terrible misfire, followed by a very loud backfire, and then it cut out and I couldn't restart it. The points were replaced then and it was fine after that until last week.... when I flooded it and then couldn't retart it. It hasn't started since.

It is a manual car.
 
I've just looked and there doesn't appear to be a spark (from what I can tell in broad daylight) from the HT lead that runs from the ignition coil. This surprised me as the coil really isn't all that old. So would be be safe to assume to coil has packed up then? Should I check again after dark?

If if does need a coil, rather than keep messing around replacing coils and points/condensors, would it me more cost effective to just convert it to electronic ignition? Is this an easy job?
 
Check again for a spark, and if there isn't one go back to the points and check those again before assuming the coil is faulty.
The points get a hard time coping with an 8 cylinder, and poor quality components will cause problems even as soon as a couple of weeks. (If not sooner). Electronic ignition is a worthwhile conversion, and there are many threads on here about the various options available, if you choose to stick with the points, then avoid cheap makes such as Intermotor, and try and get genuine old stock Lucas items, as the new Lucas stuff isn't much good either. Same applies to the condenser, you're better off with a known-good secondhand one than a new one from any manufacturer really.
 
Martin at >Distributor Doctor< has NOS Lucas points and condensers if, as Harvey says, you want to stay original.

I would recommend going electronic though, either Pertronix, Lumenition, etc.

Have a browse through >this thread< It's quite an easy install, and no more points and condensers to trouble you! :)
 
What I ultimately want is reliability... That is more important to me than originality really, as I want to be able to enjoy the car. So far in my ownership I haven't been able to get much enjoyment from the car yet, unfortunately. Funds are a little sketchy though, however.

Wins International has an electronic ignition set for £92.00. JR Wadhams has Luminition for £130. Would it be better to go with the latter?

Wadhams also have a Bosch high performance coil for £30. Would this be worth the premium over a cheap aftermarket coil?
 
Hi Simon,

For reliability I'd say electronic every time.

The Pertronix Ignitor runs at $82.30 + $12.50 shipping through Retro Rockets - i.e. approximately £65 all-in. You order in dollars and it's delivered from their UK warehouse - mine took about 2 days IIRC.

Nothing wrong with Lumenition and a lot of people swear by the system, but the Pertronix fits entirely inside the dizzy cap - which suited me.

You'd need to identify which 35D8 distributor you have (assuming it is still Lucas) - scroll down about 2/3 of the way on >this page<

Cheers,
 
Simon, try one of these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/V8-Rover-Lucas-El ... 1c0fecc140

I know they're quite cheap and might not ultimately provide the reliability of the pertronix or lumenition systems, but I could'nt afford the more expensive systems so thought this one was worth a shot at the price. So far it's been 100% percent reliable and has improved the feel of the car. It's very easy to fit, you need to bypass the ballast resistor though as apparently these aren't suitable for running with a ballasted system. I fitted a lucas gold sports coil as well, so paid about 40 quid in all. It was definitely worth it. :)

Will.
 
vaultsman said:
You'd need to identify which 35D8 distributor you have (assuming it is still Lucas) - scroll down about 2/3 of the way on >this page<

Cheers,

Oh christ, they both look the same to me! I think the top one, but I'm not 100%.

EDIT: Just took a photo, of mine... It is the top one... LU-181.
 
Hello Simon,

Just a plug for Lumenition, fitted my kit in March 1991. It has worked perfectly covering 133,000 miles (214,000km) to date. It is more expensve, but you could say that what you get is what you pay for.
There is one kit for the Lucas 35D8 distributor, you don't need to differentiate between types, and installation is not difficult.

Ron.
 
Tnanks for all the help guys...

Just an update... I've taken the plunge and ordered a PerTronix Ignitor electronic ignition kit.... and thought I'd get a high performance coil while I was at it too.
 
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