The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - Is this the new normal for parts.....ie Vortec dist. cap

speedygonzales · 01-08-2019, 11:09 AM

After having thought about it and mentioning this type of "crossfire" problem was not a problem until a year ago.

I feel the problem is 2 things depending on the failure.

My old symptoms after about 2 years used to be long cranking or no start.

Starting a year ago, the symptoms are now, misfiring like a bastard. This will occur after some use, (so far in my case 1 year). OR it will occur right out of the box.

The old symptoms were most likely something to do with environment. Since others in dry climates get a lot more life out of theirs.

However I have not heard much from people that have bought newer caps. The people commenting it seems had caps of much older vintage.

But I will say this due to the fact that I've never had a crossfiring condition until a year ago. Even though the climate here is the same for the last 20 years (obviously).

The manufacturing process has changed (or there or idiots doing what smarter people used to be doing). Or they are using substandard (read low dielectric strength plastic) in the manufacturing process.

One last comment: When looking at the Echlin cap, the new Napa page says aluminum. Haven't checked to see if that is true or a typo.

Although Accel is using brass, apparently they are also suffering from poor assembly quality. Here's the information about internal shorts or as I call it "crossfiring" from the center to #3 plug contact posted on the summit website. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...et/model/k1500

More good news on Amazon website https://www.amazon.com/ACCEL-ACC-120...ustomerReviews

01-08-2019, 11:09 AM	#10
speedygonzales Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Smithfield, VA Posts: 1,501	Perhaps a combination of things After having thought about it and mentioning this type of "crossfire" problem was not a problem until a year ago. I feel the problem is 2 things depending on the failure. My old symptoms after about 2 years used to be long cranking or no start. Starting a year ago, the symptoms are now, misfiring like a bastard. This will occur after some use, (so far in my case 1 year). OR it will occur right out of the box. The old symptoms were most likely something to do with environment. Since others in dry climates get a lot more life out of theirs. However I have not heard much from people that have bought newer caps. The people commenting it seems had caps of much older vintage. But I will say this due to the fact that I've never had a crossfiring condition until a year ago. Even though the climate here is the same for the last 20 years (obviously). The manufacturing process has changed (or there or idiots doing what smarter people used to be doing). Or they are using substandard (read low dielectric strength plastic) in the manufacturing process. One last comment: When looking at the Echlin cap, the new Napa page says aluminum. Haven't checked to see if that is true or a typo. Although Accel is using brass, apparently they are also suffering from poor assembly quality. Here's the information about internal shorts or as I call it "crossfiring" from the center to #3 plug contact posted on the summit website. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...et/model/k1500 More good news on Amazon website https://www.amazon.com/ACCEL-ACC-120...ustomerReviews __________________ 99 Z71 (98 body style) Pride and joy Last edited by speedygonzales; 01-08-2019 at 11:23 AM.