I'm trying to resolve some issues with my brother's '89 Formula 350. The only mod it has that I know of is SLP headers. The car requires extended cranking to start, and it loses power badly over 3000rpm. At low RPM, it feels like it runs fine, however.

The plugs, wires, cap, rotor and ignition coil were replaced a little over a year ago.

The car initially failed emissions a couple of months back due to a high hydrocarbon count. The cat was replaced, and it got through the test.

The high hydrocarbon count suggests a misfire. However, as mentioned, all of the ignition components, except the distributor itself, have been replaced.

The fact that the car is hard to start as well as loses power at higher revs suggests to me that the misfire is not limited to just one cylinder. I will check the rotor again, but beyond that, I'm not really sure how to test the coil or distributor.

Any suggestions on what I should do for further diagnosis? Thanks in advance!

 

i'd start by checking fuel preasure and volumn

 

Couldnt timing be an issue as well?

 

I'll need a fuel pressure gauge. I take it I just want one that will screw on to the fuel rail schraeder valve?

Any idea what sort of PSI I should see:
at idle?
with the key on but the car off?
at higher RPMs?

Thanks!

 

I picked up a spark tester and a fuel pressure gauge this morning. (I've been using the spark tester first, so I can return the $40 fuel pressure gauge if I don't need it.)

On the spark tester, I've got the gap set to halfway between the 20 and the 30, indicating about 25K volts, and when I crank the engine, I get a clean, consistent spark. If I make the gap any larger, the spark becomes very inconsistent. As such, it looks like the coil is capable of sending about 25K volts to the plugs.

According to these numbers on Summit's website, the Accel coil that the car has should put out 48K volts. Does that mean that I should expect to see close to 48K volts to the plug?