I'm trying to get a friend's 1980 Cortina 2.3 Ghia running but having real problems with the ignition. It hasn't started for around 10 years but has to be moved now due to the garage space being sold for redevelopment. It ran OK before being put into storage but the garage was broken into a few years back and the car messed about with in an attempt to move it to get at some other goodies.

The engine turns over, (fresh) fuel is getting through, spark plugs are in great shape but the spark seems very weak and it's impossible to start.

The car is fitted with a 'breakerless' distributor (Bosch?) and the only information I can find about this is in the supplement at the end of the Haynes manual. This info is very basic and not very helpful.

When the rotor arm is removed, under a cover is a coil of fine braided wire wound around a nylon reel. The end of this wire is loose and doesn't look right but I've searched everywhere and cannot find any reference to this part to find out how it should look.

We were going to change the points and condenser but now we're stumped. 

Is anyone familiar with this distributor type.

Thanks in advance for any help 😀

 

A picture would be helpful.

There are a number of contactless ignition system that Ford used in the 80s and the principle will be the same on the Sierra, which is more common.

Does yours have the vacuum advance?