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> Jensen Healey & Jensen GT Tech > Engine & Transmission > IT BACKFIRES & DIES!! WHAT'S WRONG?

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Rob Rawe
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Joined: 08-17-2007
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Last fall as I was driving the Jensen it backfired and died and restarted without any problem.  Before I made it home, the backfiring and dying happened two more times. 

It has been 10 yrs. since the engine was rebuilt and at that time I made a modification to a distributorless ignition system.  The HPV.1 by Electromotive, Inc. uses a magnetic sensor to count the teeth on the trigger wheel mounted to the face of the crankshaft pulley wheel and the signal from the sensor to a computer broad that will cause the coils to fire the plugs.  Over the years I have replaced 2 magnetic sensors which failed and caused engine to run eratic, & one of the 2 coils failed caused 2 of the cylinders to have no spark. 

When the engine was rebuilt a machinest/engine builder that does racing engine rebuilds did the complete reassembly.  New valves and springs were installed.  He ordered shims from Delta as required to set up the clearances.  A new camshaft belt was also installed. It has been 9 years 4 months and 11,645 miles since then and I have not checked the valve clearances, since I have not reached the suggested 15,000 miles as noted in JHPS standard, Dec. 2001 "Valve Adjustment on the 907 Eng - Part 1."

So with all as noted as some reference data, what would most likely cause the backfiring?(1)  Camshaft belt jumping notiches on camshaft pulleys?  (2) Valve clearance needing to be checked and adjusted.  (3) Some type of failutre with the distributerless ignition system? 

I would appreciate some thoughts that anyone may have as to what could be the cause of the backfiring. 

'74 J.H. #14120

Robert Rawe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brett Gibson JH5 20497
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Joined: 03-17-2005
Location: Hilton, New York USA
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Rob,  check your basic timing first and make sure it's were it is supposed to be, cam's aligned, at TDC, firing on #1, then look at the spark plugs, black say's your rich, but check the simple stuff before digging deep. If you have Strombergs see if the barrel moves free, or if there is a tear in the diaphragm, loose wires, bad ground etc.

From what you state it sounds like your engine is in very nice shape thats why I think its just something that may have loosened up.

Good luck

Brett



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