Had quite a scare last night

[blueroo]

Hey all,
I said my car could hit 6 grand pretty solid because it's done it. My dad was the one who got it to six grand and I usually don't take it over 4 grand. Well, last night, I was driving around and decided to push it a little past 4 grand. 4 grand, no prob, 4100 (which I had done about twice before) no prob, 4200 no prob, but at 4300 the car seemed to fall flat on its face. Nothing cut out, but the way it fell flat was very similar to what the efi ranger I had been driving would do if you went to about 5700RPM (redline of 5500, I wasn't paying as much attention as I should have been).
I quick let off the throttle and then the car started acting up. The tach needle was "ticking" in 100rpm increments and my oil pressure was fluctuating between 25 and 40psi. The oil pressure will fluctuate like that at idle if you drive around for a bit, shut it off for about 5 minutes, and start it again. The problem was I wasn't at idle and I hadn't shut it off.
I pulled into the place where I work since it was basically right down the road and I needed to stop there anyway. I was talking to my one co-worker about it and he said it might be because the motor is "used to" a top rpm of around 4 grand.
When I left it was still acting up somewhat so I brought it home. This morning I went out, went to start it and it fired right up with absolutely no hesitation and it runs great. All the symptoms seem to be gone (haven't checked for the restart oil pressure fluctuations) but I'm a little unnerved still.
Anyone else have a similar problem?

 

[addo]

It possibly pumped most of your oil into the valve cover. Plus, when you fang it, there is appreciably more lubricant consumption. Between the two, you may have registered low oil level/pressure.

You might make 6K switching the tacho to 4-cylinder.

 

[gtm1086]

Is you oil pressure gauge a manual or electric. If it is electric and with the tach "ticking" you could have a loose or dirty ground. As for the motor running flat over 4300 could be a fuel delivery issue.

 

[blueroo]

Found the problem. My one spark plug wire was half off the plug. What bothers me is I couldn't figure out how that happened in the first place.

 

[CobraSix]

If you rev'd the engine hard, it may have just shaken loose due to not being one very well in the first place. I know I've done it before. it seems like the wire is on there good when in reality it isn't.

Slade

 

[addo]

Slade's reminded me. I have a different technique for installing plug leads, to anything I've read.

Lube the lead with 303 spray on a rag, but not the boot. Slide the boot back to expose the lead clip, and push this clip onto the plug.
As it's visible, you can see it's in place correctly.

Now push the boot from the back end, sliding it along the lead and over the porcelain. I use both my thumb tips for this, and apply fair pressure. You will sense it sliding over the insulator ribbing. Stop when you meet solid resistance.

Regards, Adam.