Subject: Re: Intermittent firing with my engine

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Hi Peter,
From your descriptions we think your problem is with the coil and/or the distributor cap.

Since 1950 (the year after my birth) we have had in the family three 2.6 litres and two 3 litres, 290/1.
One of the 2.6's gave trouble not dissimilar to yours. A new coil provided an instant cure.

We suggest
- check that the wiring to the coil is correct. ie on a Lucas coil SW (secondary wiring) is power IN
CB (contact braker) is to the distributor points. If this order is reversed the engine will still run but the power of the spark delivered to the plugs will, on warming up, diminish rapidly.
- Distributor cap. You mention you have changed caps, was it for a brand new or second hand cap?
The caps will, after years of service or simply with age, develop non visible hairline cracks which, on heating, open up and allow the spark to take a short cut to earth.
If your cap is new, check with the old one that the terminals are in exactly the same position relative to the locating step on the original.

Is your car a 290 or 290/1?

Regards,
Mark and Jim