My car was sitting for about a year at my parents house waiting for a new motor.
They decided to surprise me and had my Uncle swap the motor for a Sohc ZC.
It was working fine ...but the last few days I had a check engine light go on.
I drove it to work a few days ago...and it left me stranded on the freeway.
It shut off while I was driving on the freeway...I managed to pop start it enough times to get off...but it wouldn't stay on. When I poped the hood, the cat was bright cherry red. I thought that maybe the cat was blocked and not letting the engine breathe...so I unhooked the cat...but it still won't start!

I don't want to take it back to my Uncle and parents and make them feel bad.
I just want to get this issue resolved on my own.
Were do I start?
Anybody know any good mechanics in the LA...Highland Park/Eagle Rock/Glendale area?

 

I'm thinking your dizzy took a shat.
The unburned fuel vapor would tend to colect and ignite in the cat causing the axessive heat and "glow".
Did it run like *** just before is broke down ?
Have you checked for spark ?

 

Yes, it did not run perfectly smooth at idle, once up to speed it was fine.
I have not checked for spark, I'll go check it out on the weekend...(I had it towed to a friends house that was close by.)
To check for spark I stick a screwdriver in the sparkplug cable...hold it next to the block...and have someone crank the engine...correct?

Thanks

 

send it back to your uncle. not trusting him and going behind his back would make him feel worse.

 

The guy is as busy as I am.
I would hate to burden him with my car again.
I think the rex was a real hassle for him... getting the motor..they lost the keys to the car...ect, ect...He didn't tell me, but I got the feeling he was happy to get the car done w/ and in my hands.
I will definately tell him about it, but I won't expect him or want to take anymore of his time.
Were do I get a new Distributer? ...used or new?

Thanks


Modified by Rude-e at 3:51 AM 10/25/2006

 

personally, i'd buy a new distributor. but if youre strapped for cash, and it sounds as if you are... try to hit up the engine supplier that your parents got the engine from.

 

I want this car to be reliable and only put quality components in it. If new is available and as good as OEM ...Thats what I'll get. by the way ..Were is the best place to get these?

I am not strapped for cash ( I am 31 and have a full time job, wife and 2 kids)
I am strapped for time! My parents must of got fed up w/ my car over at their place and decided to surprise me by doing this! It was awesome and I appreciate it alot! (it was like a mini-overhaulin) but, like anything, if you want it done right do it yourself. I know I would have gone over everything before installing it...water pump, timing belt ect.. and I would have learned alot by doing it.

So ..Were is the best place to get these?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Rude-e &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> My parents must of got fed up w/ my car over at their place and decided to surprise me by doing this! .................... like anything, if you want it done right do it yourself. I know I would have gone over everything before installing it... </TD></TR></TABLE>


A....Don't be a ungratefully peice of **** , Your family tried to do something nice for you and your just being pissie because it's having a few problems.

B...There is no way you would have been able to know that the dizzy was good before "you" put it in just by "looking it over really good".

C...Let us know if you find spark this weekend !