recent startup of "click" noise from dizzy 351W

[strad]

It did not used to do this. I recently replaced the distributor cap, and I've fired it up twice since then (on the hose, I have not run it on the lake). The first time no clicking noise, sounded just like before I replaced it. The second time I have a click, sounds like once each engine revolution (guessing). It is coming from the distributor at least it sounds loudest in that location. I pulled the cap, thinking mechanical contact of some kind. No dice. Everything inside looks like it's supposed to, no hitting going on between rotor and cap. And why would there be, seeing as caps are the same? So I'm at a loss as to why it started making this clicking noise. Any ideas? Should I worry? I'm the worrying kind lol.

I've linked a vid. You can hear the clicking when I have the camera close to the engine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumfA...ature=youtu.be

[Jerseydave]

If the rotor is not hitting the inside of the cap anywhere, maybe a loose wire on the cap and you're hearing the spark arcing? Hard to tell by your video.

Nice boat BTW

[strad]

Well it'd be embarrassing to tell y'all what the exact cause was. But suffice to say it is not doing it anymore lol.

[SP Maristar]

Mum's the word. Glad you found and fixed the problem.

[JMann]

Oh come on you have to tell. It could help one of us avoid doing the same thing at some point.

Fess up!

[03geetee]

Tell us!

JTR

[milkmania]

I'm leaning towards Jerseydave hitting the nail on the head.......

[thatsmrmastercraft]

I'm with Jerseydave's first thought. Been there before myself.

[strad]

Originally Posted by milkmania

I'm leaning towards Jerseydave hitting the nail on the head.......

Yup, only worse. It was running on seven cylinders, through no fault of its own. I had disconnected a lead to spray penetrating oil on the manifold bolts, and then forgotten to reconnect it, and indeed forgotten that I disconnected it in the first place. It was number five, so being on the other side of the boat while I was starting the engine and working the throttle, I did not see it the first day. JerseyDave put me on the right track. I need fewer distractions in my life lol.

[thatsmrmastercraft]

Originally Posted by strad

Yup, only worse. It was running on seven cylinders, through no fault of its own. I had disconnected a lead to spray penetrating oil on the manifold bolts, and then forgotten to reconnect it, and indeed forgotten that I disconnected it in the first place. It was number five, so being on the other side of the boat while I was starting the engine and working the throttle, I did not see it the first day. JerseyDave put me on the right track. I need fewer distractions in my life lol.

Those kind of things happen to anyone who works on an engine long enough. Learning the hard way works, and enforces checking the basics first.