Topic: My Friday Night Breakdown!!!
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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It was pretty nice here friday night so my girlfriend and I decided to take the Vette for a ride. I hadn't driven it in about two weeks. About 4 miles from home it made a small backfire and just shut down on me. I coasted to the side of the road and wasn't getting any spark. Had no tools or anything so I called my friend who doesn't live too far away to come help. Ended up being the electrical connection to the ignition module in my MSD distributor, which kind of upset me because I put it on about a year ago and oxidation destroyed the tiny connector. The negative one was broke which caused me to get no spark, but moving that wire, moved the positive, and that connector broke off too. A little disappointed in MSD's hardware. I understand oxidation happens, but its only been a year and the car stays in a garage!
The upsetting part of the whole thing was sitting on the side of the road. I realized we've really become a society that likes to kick you when you're down. Two people stopped and asked if I needed help, but if I had a dime for every other person that went by and either rolled down the window and laughed, yelled out "should have bought a Ford", or revved up their engines while driving by.... I'd have a lot of money today! I just don't get it. My friend said if it was a VW or a Honda, everybody would just go on by like you weren't even there, but when you have something nice, they just want to kick you when you're down. Even had a group of young teens in a four door mitsubishi with a 4 foot wing on the back ride by a few times laughing and revving. I was thinking to myself.. please... do you really think you have something on me! And this is all in my small hometown... I'll probably run into these people again! Just think its a shame, that we've become that way.
1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's
(click to see a bigger version)
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's
(click to see a bigger version)
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Sorry to hear about your trouble. It is a shame people have no regard
for each other. I take it you got home okay. The worst part had to be
the ricer having a laugh. Maybe you will catch hin on the road in the
future.
Scott
Scott
Sorry to hear your fun cruise was spoiled, especially by something relatively minor. Know what you mean though about no one caring to see if you're alright as we had a bunch of cars and trucks blow by us when we were on the side of the interstate with the hood up in the middle of no where Utah. I always slow down and look to see if someone on the side of the road is in need of assistance. I've been helped in the past and look to return the help when I can.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
Former Member
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Cramerton, NC - USA
Joined: 8/22/2006
Posts: 1094
Vette(s): black 1982 coupe slate gray interior, 350 crossfire, 1985 fuel pump, Steeroids R&P conversion
I agree, it's a sad statement on our society. Half are afraid to stop and the other half just dont give a damn. It makes you appreciate the two who did stop even more. Glad you got home OK, at least you were close to home and had help reasonably close.
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20229
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
It's nice when folks at least stop to OFFER help, even if there is nothing they can do...but...around here, it could just as likely be some scum-bag wanting to knock you in the head and steal your ride.(sorry...I'm still twisted over the burglary of all my stuff...)
Glad your problem wasn't a major issue, and was repairable, but it sux when it ruins a great cruize. As far as the ricer a-holes, I wouldn't sweat it...trust me, they'll spend WAY more time on the back of a flatbed than a Corvette EVER will!
Perhaps you can use some die-electric grease on the MSD terminals once you repair them, and slow the corrosion?
Glad your problem wasn't a major issue, and was repairable, but it sux when it ruins a great cruize. As far as the ricer a-holes, I wouldn't sweat it...trust me, they'll spend WAY more time on the back of a flatbed than a Corvette EVER will!
Perhaps you can use some die-electric grease on the MSD terminals once you repair them, and slow the corrosion?
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
My Link 
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Yeah, luckily it was nothing big at all and I was close to home. Thanks for the tip Joel. I definitely don't want that to happen another year from now!
1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's
(click to see a bigger version)
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's
(click to see a bigger version)
I'm sorry to hear all this, that's one reason I rewired my vet...found all kinds of bubba problems. We're pretty close to each other ..hope to run into you someday. Got the same seats too.
Alan
Yeah, I guess we are really close! I actually work in Newark. Really nice looking vette you have there too! I'd love to have a 68-69 convertible! Those Corbeau's are great seats aren't they? Tight fit, but so much more support than the stock seats.
1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's
(click to see a bigger version)
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's
(click to see a bigger version)
I have my shop in newark. I love those seats as long as you can keep a 36"< waist it's a great fit.
Alan
I have ridden in a tow truck a couple of times. I don't know if it is where you live, nothing intended, you live in the North and I live in the South, but I have never had anyone yell at me and I have had several offers of help. Gene You have a really nice ride
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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