1963 marauder trouble shooting

[Fatality51]

hello everyone! this is my first post on here so bear with me.... so i bought a 1963 marauder so the 04 marauder dosnt get lonely. anyway when i bought it the thing started and drove fine. now it wont start. got a new starter, solonoid, wiring cap, coil, condenser, distributer and spark plugs. its getting gas and spark and turns over but just wont fire! timing belt maybe? carb rebuild? i dont know! also when i was driving it on the highway it would stutter at about 55mph and it seemed to lose power. city driving was completly fine but highway it would backfire. thanks!:party:

[fastblackmerc]

hello everyone! this is my first post on here so bear with me.... so i bought a 1963 marauder so the 04 marauder dosnt get lonely. anyway when i bought it the thing started and drove fine. now it wont start. got a new starter, solonoid, wiring cap, coil, condenser, distributer and spark plugs. its getting gas and spark and turns over but just wont fire! timing belt maybe? carb rebuild? i dont know! also when i was driving it on the highway it would stutter at about 55mph and it seemed to lose power. city driving was completly fine but highway it would backfire. thanks!:party:

Possible timing CHAIN.

Did you change the points? Are they gaped correctly?

It the coil connected right?

Did you get the firing order right when changing the plug wires or changing the distributor cap?

Are the spark plugs gaped right?

Is the timing set to specs?

[kirk]

Possible timing CHAIN.

Did you change the points? Are they gaped correctly?

It the coil connected right?

Did you get the firing order right when changing the plug wires or changing the distributor cap?

Are the spark plugs gaped right?

Is the timing set to specs?

What he said.

Backfire and low power at high speeds would point me toward timing, timing chain, and/or valves. Check your timing. Timing gear (nylon coated?) may be toast. How many miles on this thing?

[Fastbob]

Also check or replace the points condenser. I have in the past seen some strange things happen when the points condenser was flakey.

Probably a compression check is in order also.

Bob

[fastblackmerc]

Also check or replace the points condenser. I have in the past seen some strange things happen when the points condenser was flakey.

Probably a compression check is in order also.

Bob

Condenser was already replaced.

[Fastbob]

Condenser was already replaced.Looks like I missed that. Figured it likely was replaced. Wonder if some of the young guys on here even know what a condenser looks like and what it does? LOL


Bob

[fastblackmerc]

Looks like I missed that. Figured it likely was replaced. Wonder if some of the young guys on here even know what a condenser looks like and what it does? LOL


Bob

Most would be hard pressed without a "code".

[Fastbob]

Most would be hard pressed without a "code".LOL:confused:

[Fatality51]

It's got 132,000 on it. Yea I'm a youngster only 22 but I love old cars! Haha well my dad knows all about that so I'll have him look at it. Luckily it's easy to work on and fairly cheap but I'll check that stuff out. Thanks for the tips!

[vegasmarauder]

Points, point gap or coil. The points have to stay closed a certain amount of time for the coil to build up voltage. Then they open and the spark is discharged. Improper gap, or a weak point arm spring will weaken the spark at higher speeds because the coil doesn't get enough soak time. A failing coil will do the same because it can't build up fast enough. On every point equipped car I have I switched them over to a Pertonix electronic system. Never touched the points again. Only have to change distributor caps and rotor from time to time. I also got a Pertonix coil and painted the top yellow to look similiar to the Ford one. Tape the wires up and it is barely noticable it is installed. Much easier starting and smoother idle.

[71cyclone]

If anybody here has used a Sun tune commercial Scope or Marquis scope[ Back in time] The scope pattern will show that the dwell may be correct but the electrical spike pattern will show fowled points and this will show up in acceleration and midrange power stumbling. the prior thread was right on point with the Pertronix system. I was a die hard that had to make the switch. Happy Motoring. from a Early retired Fo Mo Co Mechanic ,that Switched to Detroit Diesel ,Cummins back in the 80's

[justbob]

LOL Sun scope. Yup, I remember those days fading away when I first started working at 15. I miss the simple graphs and real tune ups.


Self proclaimed Builder Of Badassery.

Buy it, Break it, Build it BETTER.
"Since 2004"

[UncleLar]

I reversed the coil + & - wires up one time by accident,the car ran okay around town but it wouldn't run worth a darn at 55 mph or over.

[Matt34]

Looks like I missed that. Figured it likely was replaced. Wonder if some of the young guys on here even know what a condenser looks like and what it does? LOL


Bob

I have no idea what the condenser is or what it does, but would like to know...
To the original thread starter Im kinda a young guy myself, 34. I've had my 63 Fastback 390 marauder (monterey custom) about a year or so and you should listen to these guys, they really know their ****.

They have helped me more times than I can remember and i still beg for help every now and then and they always come through.

Just thought Id say that because I wasnt sure if you are new to the site or not. Post some pics man, we'd love to see the car, or at least i would.

[Fastbob]

A condenser is really a capacitor. It is round, approx. 1/2 " in diameter, roughly 2 inches long, has a short insulated wire with an electrical connection. It resides under the distributor cap and the electric "pigtail" connects to the 12 volt side of the points.

Condensers can be good, open, shorted or electrically leaky. Sometimes when bad they can cause pitting of the ignition contacts at the points. Modern electronic ignition does not use points. See the link for a better understanding and also do a google for "ignition points" or "ignition condenser".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ignition_system
http://www.smokstak.com/articles/capacitors.html

Hope this helps.

Bob

[junior]

You mention that you replaced the distributor...Did you bring the #1 cylinder to TDC and position the rotor to the corresponding #1 spark plug wire on the cap while inserting the Distributor? If you did, and you get spark and gas, I would guess that the timing chain and/or cam gear are worn out. If you have to twist the distributor way out of time to get it to fire, that's the problem.

[prchrman]

check and see if gas is squirting in the carb when you push the throttle linkage.
if so,
Check a plug to see if you got fire.
if so,
you got a timing issue.
easiest thing in the world is crossing wires, or putting in a distributor 180 degree out or some where less.

gas, fire, and timing is 99% of the time where the issue lies. lesser is combustion, broke cam, broke crank, etc etc. all of which I have had.

obtw if you suspect gas, a little starter fluid with tell you, not too much though.

[UncleLar]

I wonder if he got it running correctly and if he did or does he'll disclose what the actual problem was. I've noticed through the years here on this and other sites people ask for solutions to problems and a lot of them never post what the cause of the problem was or what the solution was.

[Peachpicker]

It definitely sounds like a timing issue to me. I remember those cars back in the day as well as a lot of others. As dumb as this may sound, is the bolt that holds the distributor down tight? This could be allowing the distributor to go out of time as well.

[Fatality51]

Here is some pictures of the car, I'm waiting until summer to get it fixed up but I appreciate all your guys help! I'll let ya know when it's running again

[Fatality51]

I can't figure out how to upload a bunch of pics at once.....annnnd it's upside down haha

[UncleLar]

Nice color too.

[Fatality51]

Yea I like the color a lot, especially the white top. It's got a rose color interior. It was owned by an 83 Year old lady and she couldn't drive anymore.

[Fatality51]

i was finally able to sit at the computer and get some good pictures. hope you enjoy them!

[kirk]

Great looking car!

Interesting; power steering with a 17" steering wheel.

Did you arrange the tail light lenses?

[Matt34]

Thanks for the info, sorry for the delayed response. Im thinking of attempting a rebuild of the motor in my car and doing it myself. I think the rings need to be replaced and while i have the motor out might take it to a machine shop up the road and see about boring it out and adding larger pistons to increase compression.

Thanks again

[Matt34]

i was finally able to sit at the computer and get some good pictures. hope you enjoy them!

If you dont mind me asking what did you give for that car, was it in that condition when you bought it???

[Fatality51]

I just noticed those tail lights are on wrong haha, I bought the car for 5k. I bought it just like how it looks in those pictures. I have the original rims and tires too.

[martyo]

That is a neat car and was bought for the right money too in my opinion.

I would do a 302 FI swap out of a Fox body and put air on the car and ride it around like mad!

That would be a car show killer!!!

[Fatality51]

A guy at my work also said I got a good deal, said I stole it. I just want to get that 390 running again but it's cold as balls up here in Minnesota so I wanna wait till it's warm then I'll flip them wing windows out and blast some A.M radio

[Matt34]

i was finally able to sit at the computer and get some good pictures. hope you enjoy them!

That car is bad ass, in a lot better condition than mine when i bought it and even still i think. I only paid around 1200 or so but have put a ton of money in it since then. Great car.

[Crown Vicman]

sounds like the timing is off

[Fatality51]

I don't see the timing diagram anywhere on the engine, where would it be on the lower part of the engine?

[kirk]

I don't see the timing diagram anywhere on the engine, where would it be on the lower part of the engine?

There is no diagram, and based on the question I'm guessing you've never done this before.

There is a pointer over your harmonic balancer on the front of your crank shaft. A 390 is a little different than my 406 I think, but there will be timing marks (degree marks) on either the pointer or on the balancer, and a reference mark. My 406 has the timing marks on the balancer and the pointer is the reference. Put a timing light on it connected to power and the #1 plug wire. With the engine running at idle, and the vacuum advance disconnected at the distributor, point the light at the timing marks to check the timing.

To change the timing, loosen the distributor hold down bolt enough to turn the distributor. Turning the distributor changes the timing.

[Fatality51]

Yea I've checked timing before, I just had to do it last week to my Silverado. I was just looking and couldn't find any timing marks. I'll check it out again soon. Thanks

[fastblackmerc]

There is no diagram, and based on the question I'm guessing you've never done this before.

There is a pointer over your harmonic balancer on the front of your crank shaft. A 390 is a little different than my 406 I think, but there will be timing marks (degree marks) on either the pointer or on the balancer, and a reference mark. My 406 has the timing marks on the balancer and the pointer is the reference. Put a timing light on it connected to power and the #1 plug wire. With the engine running at idle, and the vacuum advance disconnected at the distributor, point the light at the timing marks to check the timing.

To change the timing, loosen the distributor hold down bolt enough to turn the distributor. Turning the distributor changes the timing.

Make sure the dwell angle / point gap is set correctly.

[Matt34]

Yea I've checked timing before, I just had to do it last week to my Silverado. I was just looking and couldn't find any timing marks. I'll check it out again soon. Thanks

On my 390 under the radiator where i think you call that the crank shaft if you look on that pulley at the very bottom, (helps if you remove the fan blade for the radiator) there are numbers that go from 10 to like 30 or 40 or more by tens but the writing is very small and you may have to clean the surface good to see them.

Whenever you start to see those numbers crank that thing with a 1 inch socket on the nut in the center in a clockwise motion until you see the numbers and take it to 10 and then a little and I think there is a small mark after that 10 to identify tdc. I had a chalk line already on mine where i had work done so it made it easier for me to find.

That mark should line up with that half an arrow looking fixed metal thing sticking out right at the top of what you're turning, you cant miss it.

And also if you remove all the spark plugs it makes it easier to turn but you probably wont need to, I didnt. Hope that help you man. Good luck.

[Fatality51]

Now that is nice out up here in Minnesota I did some work today with a mechanic. We changed the gap on the points cause they were to big. Also I had someone to turn the distributor cap a little and tweak the rotor. Good news she was running for a bit but then died quickly. He said get new spark plug wires and a rotor and it should run. Leaving for Florida tomorrow but I ordered the parts off rock auto. I'll keep all of you updated!

[fastblackmerc]

Now that is nice out up here in Minnesota I did some work today with a mechanic. We changed the gap on the points cause they were to big. Also I had someone to turn the distributor cap a little and tweak the rotor. Good news she was running for a bit but then died quickly. He said get new spark plug wires and a rotor and it should run. Leaving for Florida tomorrow but I ordered the parts off rock auto. I'll keep all of you updated!

When was the fuel filter replaced last?

[kirk]

When was the fuel filter replaced last?

Excellent question.

[Fatality51]

Not sure, it's a clear one and it dosnt look to gunked up, my mechanic said he could see the fuel shooting into the carb. But I'll probably replace it eventually

[chief455]

When was the fuel filter replaced last?
or float stuck, needle seat, fuel pump diaphram