Day 4 started like any other: We drive the car, the left CV joint makes a horrible and loud noise against the A-arm (or something like that) anytime we’re pressing the throttle.
After running down some really twisty roads that would be fun with many vehicles but not this one, the engine just sort of quit. It tends to be worse when a car dies while you’re driving it than if it just doesn’t start the next time you need it.
With the assistance of several other BABE teams who stopped to help, we tested a few theories:
- No spark: Tested by removing a spark plug wire and hold against a ground. We had spark.
- No fuel: Tested by spraying brake cleaner into the intake (beyond the filter) and cranking. No effect, ergo probably not a fuel problem.
- No fuel: Tested again by disconnecting fuel lines and turning the car on to see if fuel was making it past the fuel filter and then back again from the fuel rail. Yep, no problems.
- Timing: Inspected by looking at the timing marks on the camshaft sprocket and crankshaft pulley. No problem.
- Timing: Tried adjusting the timing by rotating the distributor. No effect.
- Timing: Finally, Gary from Team Fugawi asked if anyone had looked at the distributor. No… So I removed the distributor cap. And the rotor was completely loose. Turns out the screw that holds it to the shaft had come completely out and had lodged elsewhere in the distributor.
We put the screw back where it belonged, tightened it well, and put everything else back together. Following yesterday’s form, a storm started blowing through right as we finished putting everything away. Within one mile, we were driving in very heavy rain.
Other things probably happened, but the important one is that we broke down, fixed it (with lots of help), and made it to Gadsden to have dinner and a parking lot beer or two with the other teams.
Tomorrow: New Orleans!
