Spark plug wires mixed up

[55 ragger]

Can I damage my
40 hp if the plug wires are mixed up.
thanks

[Glenn]

Mixed up as in different brands?

No

On the wrong cylinders... the engine will not run right and will most likely not run or backfire.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[67rustavenger]

Not really, if you get it fixed right away. It'll run like crap if it starts at all!

You need to get the #1 piston at top dead center (TDC) then remove the distributor cap and note the position of the rotor. Where ever it's pointing. That is the lug on the dist. cap where your #1 plug wire attaches. Then it's just a simple follow up 4-3-2 clockwise.

Don't look at the notch on the dist rim. These engines have been rebuilt many times over the years and dist drive shaft could be in any of 12 different positions.
Just make sure that you have the #1 piston at TDC before you rearrange the plug wires.

Good Luck.
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[55 ragger]

Glen
Wires where wrong and I dove it, now after rebuild on the carb
its popping out the carb.
not backfiring out the tail pipes

[55 ragger]

Its now wired correct ,
As I said it popping out of the carb . just like a backfire
its fine as it reeves higher but as it take the gas
it pops .
Engine is all stock 40 hp
28 pic
except 4 tipp Abarth

[55 ragger]

I'm wondering if a valve got damaged ?
Or is it still the carb
stock 6 volt with electric choke

[glutamodo]

I doubt you damaged the anything in the engine by having the firing order wrong. It just won't run very good until you correct it.
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Andy T.


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[mukluk]

How, specifically, were the plug wires mixed up and for what length of time did you drive the car with them in such a condition?
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[55 ragger]

How long ...
She is only grocery getter, it ran rough but I really thought it was the
4 tipp Abarth
I used the wiring order from the technical forum for wirering ...
as per the diagram. on the layout of the plugs wires running off the distributer cap !!
My bad .anyway its smoother now ..
just it does a lot of popping out of the carb
Will only start if the choke is held open to much gas is getting into the oil
I did rebuild the carb, but somthing for sure is not correct !!

[mukluk]

You didn't answer the question. How, specifically, were the plug wires mixed up? Were they in the wrong firing order, and if so, which ones were swapped? Were they all off by one position? Was one left sitting in the corner of the garage? Was one end shoved between the coil and fan housing?

Since correcting your plug wire mixup, have you done anything else to find the cause of your continued problems? Checked valve adjustment? Dwell? Timing? How about a compression check or leak down test?

You mention too much gas is getting into the oil. Is the fuel pump leaking? Is your fuel pressure too high? Is the carb float needle valve leaking? Do you have gas trickling down the throat of the carb after you shut the engine off? Is your carb jetted or adjusted horribly rich?
_________________
1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[Mark Evans]

When did you rebuild the carb? After this wiring issue or before?
_________________
'63 Ragtop

[sjbartnik]

I'm guessing that you still have the plug wires arranged wrong.
_________________
1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[55 ragger]

First thanks for the interest..
1. plugs were wired wrong and what order ... I dont know
really but it did seem to get real hot on number 3-4 side of the engine.
2. valves have been set @ .06
3. timing set static @ BTDC
4. injector tube has nice fine spay
5. pic 28 still 6 volt electric choke that works
But as i said it will not start unless its held open
6. No compression test was rebuilt last yr .. all stock
but I could do that for sure , telling me about the valves .
7. Rebuilt the carb 2 weeks ago and figured out the wiring was messed up.
8. Runs a lot smoother now but the carb pops . the same as a backfire bkut out of the carb
9. check with . propane torch and carb cleaner no leaks
10. The carb does have a bit of play on the throttle body but its 50 yrs old ,

[KTPhil]

55 ragger wrote:

2. valves have been set @ .06

I hope you meant .006"

[55 ragger]

Yes ... thanks

[sjbartnik]

I'm guessing that you still have the plug wires arranged wrong.
_________________
1965 Volkswagen 1500 Variant S
2000 Kawasaki W650

[Cusser]

[vwoldbug]

Can you get a video of engine running .

[55 ragger]

https://youtu.be/pBEYnx2kX7Q

Ok vwoldbug take a look .

[55 ragger]

This video shows more of the problem .
https://youtu.be/VapVvjcf48o
Learning curve ...