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Re: [GMCnet] Poor Mileage solved [message #324622 is a reply to message #324615] Thu, 05 October 2017 08:21 Go to previous message
Billy Massey is currently offline  Billy Massey   United States
Messages: 916
Registered: January 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma:
Senior Member

Very good argument for carrying a spare, known good, distributor. Takes up
very little space, very light, and could save your bacon!
Thanks for sharing, Emery.
bdub

On Oct 4, 2017 7:57 PM, "Emery Stora" wrote:

> I put in a rebuilt 455 engine last January. I have about 6000 miles on it
> and have only used 1/2 quart of oil and it is running great.
>
> However after installing it I was only getting about 7 miles per gallon.
>
> Upon going and returning from the GMCMI Convention at Elkhart I was
> getting closer to 6 miles per gallon.
>
> Yesterday while on I-80 in Iowa my engine stalled so I pulled over to the
> side of the highway.
> I knew that I had fuel but it would not start so I lifted the engine cover
> and checked for spark.
> There was none. I took off the distributor cap and it looked good and the
> rotor looked good so I replaced the distributor module.
> It still wouldn’t start. I also carry a spare coil with me so I took off
> the coil cover and found that the coil was so hot that I could not touch it.
> I got gloves and replaced it and reassembled the distributor and the
> engine started right up.
>
> For the next two tanks of fuel I have gotten close to 9 miles per gallon
> even towing my Tracker and going about 70 mph on the Interstate. The
> motorhome also accelerated better and idled faster.
>
> Apparently I had a dying coil and it likely was not firing the plugs all
> the time which gave me the poor mileage. Funny that the engine seemed to
> run smoothly though and I couldn’t detect a miss.
>
> I carry spares for the distributor including cap, rotor, module, coil and
> pole piece (coil beneath the module). I have used all of the spare parts
> except the coil in the 36 years that I have had the GMC but I am sure glad
> that I had a coil with me. It is usually the module that goes bad but my
> rotor, cap, and pole piece have also failed in the past while on a trip.
>
> I would have been laid up for many hours on this trip and probably would
> have had to be towed for over 100 miles if I had not carried the spare
> parts and knew how to install them.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick, CO
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bdub
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