GTO-1967

Congrats to all.

Ringo64:  You asked in your calendar winners post for another original photo of GTO-1967.  Please find it attached below and let me know if it works.

Thank you.

Yes, you nailed it!  What I did to narrow down the possible issue was to tap into the 12 volt lead to the distributor (dizzy to you) and run a wire into the car's interior with a light at the end.  I wanted to know if the 'dizzy' was still getting power when the ignition failed.  The next time the engine crapped out, the light stayed lit confirming that I was still getting power to the distributer.  So next, I pulled a plug wire and found I wasn't getting any spark when cranking the engine.  Blimey,  the problem was in the HEI dizzy.  Didn't bother to figure out which internal part was the culprit, just replaced them all.  

16 hours ago, dualquadpete said:

HEI distributors {stock] have a problem of the wires from reluctor pick up partially breaking and cause intermittent ignition failure, your "flamethrower" might have the same problem. advance mechanism tugs on these "tiny wires " and eventually break enough to give ign. stop & go problems??

Thanks Pete.  Sounds like a great place to start.  

Thanks Fitzy.  I'm thinking given the fact that since the engine stops immediately and completely your thought about the issue being electronic makes great sense.  I've heard that my HEI Distributor might be a good place to focus attention.  I'll let you know what Gremlin is causing this problem once I nail it down. 

Hi folks.  I'm Mike McNew.  I purchased a Resto-mod '67 GTO last year with a 455 ci engine, Holley 4150 four barrel and HEI Flame Thrower Distributor with 4200 miles.  The Restoration was finished in 2011.  Ran great for this past year then developed an irritable personality trait that has me baffled.  .

Here's the scoop:

Over the past month:

-  The car cold starts fine

-  Then I've run into the following scenarios where the engine just dies

    1.  The first time it happened was about 3 miles from the house.  Cruising along at 50 mph the engine just stopped (tack down to zero) and bucked one or two times trying to restart in gear, then died again.  Once I pulled over it restarted and ran fine for the rest of the run.

    2.  The next time it died happened about two miles from the house at a traffic light.  Again, I pulled over and it restarted and ran fine.  Then it ran fine for the next two times out.

    3.  On another day, I backed it out in the driveway to let it idle to warm up and it died.  I thought I had gotten a bad load of fuel, so I dropped the fuel tank, drained it completely and dried it out, replaced the carb filters and refueled with fresh gas.  I did not replace the fuel filter on the Summit Fuel Pressure Gauge mechanism as it looked fine.  It ran fine for the next two or three times out.

    4.  Then on a subsequent outing, it died at a stop sign at the end of my street.  It restarted and died about 50 feet further.  Hard to restart but finally got it back home.

    5.  Next time out it ran fine

    6.  Then today, I was heading to Mckees37 Car and Coffee.  It started fine but died as I was backing it out of the driveway.  It cranked and cranked but wouldn't restart until I sprayed a bit of starting fluid in the Holley.  

Now it's sitting in the garage just irritating the hell out of me.  The one thing I did notice this last time is that when it died and before I touched the ignition, the radio was still playing so there was some power.  I’ve also giggled all the wires I can find while the car is idling to see it there might be a short or loose connection but so far have been unable to make the engine die.  Don't know if any of this is helpful but thought you should know.

So, it's got me.  Does anyone have any ideas?   

Owner:  Mike McNew

1967 GTO Restomod - Burgundy w/ Parchment Interior

Location:  Stuart, Florida

Rotisserie Restoration in 2009 - 2011, 455 ci HO w/AC, Vintage air control panel, Auxiliary Gauges, Holley 4-barrel 4150 carb., 5-speed Tremec Transmission, 12 bolt 3.07 posi-traction rearend with rear lift bag system, Power disk front brakes, Aluminum radiator w/ electric fan, Duel exhaust w/ Flowmaster mufflers, Retro style radio, and 15 inch BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires mounted on Cragar Mags.

Thanks for the reply.  I've attached another entry.

1967 Pontiac GTO Restomod.  Acquired in March of this year.

Hi.

I just recently purchased a 67 GTO that had a Rotisserie Restoration and an engine and transmission change.  The 400ci has been replaced with a 455ci and the four speed with a five speed.  I'd like to convert the standard steering to power.  Has anyone on the forum done this and could you tell me the things to consider when making such a change?  Thanks