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Author Topic: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP  (Read 2788 times)

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Offline Pintoman1971

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1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« on: January 03, 2015, 03:54:46 AM »
I purchased a super cherry 1971 ford pinto around two months ago for 1700 bucks. Anyway it has ran great and has been my daily driver for the last two months proving itself to be a very reliable driver. The engine had been leaking oil so i pulled the distributor and put a new o ring seal to solve one of the leaks. Re timed it and put a few hundred miles on it with no issues up until last night. Every time I go on a hill or the engine sees any load it starts to sputter even with full throttle. It misses and runs like crap when under load. On flat roads it runs pretty much like it normally does other than just feels like it has a little less power. Anybody come across a problem like this?? Im stumped. I replaced the shot battery today and still has the same issue. Fuel pressure is fine and fuel filter is fine as well. Please help!! im returning to college in two days and need this car or im shizod out of luck. Anyone have any ideas of what this could be?

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2015, 07:13:11 AM »
As loads increase, more spark voltage is needed to fire under the increasing cylinder pressure.  If this is your problem, check the ignition components (plugs, wires, cap, rotor, coil).  Badly performing components can block and/or bleed off the needed voltage to fire under the higher pressures.  Fouled plugs are common (at least in mine with poor valve seals).  Wires get old and die, even some new ones of poor quality have caused problems.  Clean/scrap the cap terminals both rotor side and wire side to shiny metal, check for carbon tracking or cracks (same thing for the rotor).  Never had a coil problem, maybe swap in a spare. 
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline Reeves1

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2015, 07:59:32 AM »
Sounds like timing slipped ?

Offline Pintoman1971

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2015, 10:54:14 PM »
Timing didnt slip. Checked ignition electrical today and fixed a few loose ends in the electrical as well as a major oil leak. Apparently the last owner didnt know the seal on the front of the camshaft is pressed into place.. I could move it around with my finger..  :o Tackling a torched starter tomorrow and crossing my fingers all the shizod we did today fixes the problem. My last hope is the the igniton coil but well see tomorrow.. If anyones got any other ideas dont hesitate to give me your opinion. Thanks guys

Offline 76hotrodpinto

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2015, 10:58:42 PM »
Have you checked your compression?
1976 half hatch 2.3 turbo w/t5.

Offline Pintoman1971

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2015, 11:10:14 PM »
my dad checked it when we first got it. 180 lbs of compression in every cylinder.

Offline 76hotrodpinto

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2015, 11:28:20 PM »
That's what I'd check now. That is good compression, but that was when she ran good. Now that she's not, I'd check again. It's square one, diagnosis.

Also, could it be some crappy fuel? Water in your fuel?
1976 half hatch 2.3 turbo w/t5.

Offline Pintoman1971

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #7 on: January 04, 2015, 02:00:53 PM »
Gunna go get some fuel today after the new starters in if the problem isnt fixed a compression check is in the near future. Just been waiting on that because on flat ground it has normal power and runs fine. hopefully it isnt something messed up in the motor..

Offline Pintoman1971

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #8 on: January 04, 2015, 06:21:09 PM »
starting to believe its the float in the carb

Offline TIGGER

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Re: 1971 ford pinto missing under load? HELP
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2015, 01:02:44 AM »
Years ago I had a similar problem with one of my cars and it was the vacuum advance. The diaphragm ruptured. You might want to check yours to make sure it is ok. Good luck.
79 4cyl Wagon
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