diagnosing electronic ignition

[dana60]

I have a 70 cuda with a 440 six pac that is coughing, smoking and sputtering when I can get it started, she will not idle. It almost sounds like it is not firing on all 8 cylinders. I am thinking it is a electrical problem? I did change the coil, but this did nothing. I have an electronic ignition in the car, would this be the problem?? How do you diagnose an electronic ignition?? Any help would be great!!


 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Let's go back a little. Did it ever run OK, or run well after the upgrade to electronic ignition? Have you changed the spark plug wires recently and maybe didn't put them in the distributor cap correctly?

This could also be a fuel related problem. Did you recently install the 6-pack?

[dana60]

Yes the car ran great before! I was driving it around town and it stared to run rough and barely made it home. Now it sits because I can not get to run.

[72rtchallenger]

it could very well be the electronic ignition,,it is  factory style  I assume .. is it the original 40 yr old box or did it get replaced with the newer china crap that is made now? no good way to check it other than swapping it out..and trying another , that I am aware of..,check and make sure it is grounded good

[Chryco Psycho]

could be as simple as a stuck needle & seat assy , are any of the carbs flooding , my guess is it is more likely to be a fuel carb problem over ign  Most of the time ign either works or not , check the gap in the dist , it should be .008 between the reluctor & pick up coil .