Clark G127 idles fine but spits and sputters at part throttle

[willie59]

I believe I have found the source of the problem.....

I went to Pertronix's website and downloaded an instruction manual for one that looked close. In the guide there was a troubleshooting section and it mentioned running rough or no start. I checked the battery and had a solid 12.8V and then went to check the infeed of the resistor and found that I only had 10.4V.

The book mentioned that to test it to run a jumper wire between the input of the ballast resistor and the battery. I did that and it fired up and ran like a champ. No more sputtering, I am going to let it set over night and see if it works in the morning as well.

Jeff

Why I dislike with a passion working on spark engines...just too damn many things can make them go crazy. Anytime I have someone ask me if I do work on cars (spark engines), my reply is "I'd rather pour diesel fuel on them and set them on fire!" :yup

 

[JeffTx]

You feel the same way about Spark controlled engines, as I do about CRT TV's. My background is in electronics and whenever someone asked if I worked on TV's I would say no (got shocked a couple of times). I'll work on about anything else but that doesn't seem to be a problem anymore since CRT TV's are obsolete.

All I have worked on most of my life are spark engines, from Briggs/Stratton, through 2-4 cylinder motorcycle engines to car engines and performance engines (Forced induction, building and modifying parts). In all that time I have only run into this 1 other time and that was a GM HEI that the Ignition wire would work loose and I would have to reach in in and plug it back up.

I have only worked on a couple Diesle engines and that was only to replace a electric pump on a Ford engine and a starter problem on a GM.

Jeff

 

[garyd33]

Intrigued to know whether you solved your problem JeffTx? Have recently come across some similar issues and wondered what worked for you. Thanks

 

[Hent]

garyd, i solved mine with new points and condenser and just making sure all of the wires and grounds were good.

i have a source for the parts if you do need them - not sure if i can post links or not here.

 

[JeffTx]

It was low voltage at the coil.

Earlier I mentioned I had 12.8V at the battery (I had the truck running for a while, shut it down and took a measurment at the battery). I turned on the ignition and only had 10.4 at the input to the ballast resistor. My temporary fix is still there (adding a relay and running a wire striaght to the battery), but it still runs as well as it had in the past. I still need to adjust the mixer a little and reset the timing (from 6* back to 5*) and then reset the idle. Other than that it's working well. no more real sputtering or anything.

Note: this is not equiped with points, it has a pertronix ignition module (AKA: Electronic ignition).

Jeff