I had previously assumed I had a timing jump during a moderately heavy-ish run over the weekend. I had to have the Galaxie brought home on a flatbed, the first time in the 10 years I've owned it--bummer.
I left a stop sign under fairly heavy throttle, not to the floor, but I was getting into that neighborhood. Going through the gears was fine, but went into 4th, probably in the 4000-4500rpm range, and all of a sudden the car fell on its face, big loss of power but still running. It was still screaming out the pipes, but it sounded very labored and "not right", like I dropped a cylinder or two. It happeded at around 70-75MPH. I dropped down to around 50, still running but "not good". Checked gauges--oil was still 50-55psi, but coolant temp was getting hot--210 and climbing. No smoke, no unusal noises except out of the exhaust. Had to slow for a stop sign at an intersection, but was able to roll through, trying to keep momentum going--it didn't want to idle and had to keep goosing the throttle (I was only 5 miles from home). On the other side of the intersection it became clear I wouldn't make it home--temp was over 220 and I shut it down.
Upon getting home, I thought the rotor in the cap was off from where it should be, but I may have mis-read that. I pulled off the timing cover with the engine at TDC and my marks are lined up--no timing jump. Gears and chain look good. Rotor a bit off, but probably correct/near correct for my 16deg initial. Pulled the distributor--it looks good. I'm at a loss here. I was running a bit lean, but not to the extreme. Instant power loss and overheating sent me to look at timing, but it seems OK. Fuel pump working. I'm leaning in the direction of ignition problems, but still at the brain-storming phase--Any thoughts?
It has a Pertronix in it, anyone ever have one fail under load?
