Bought my non running 74 1.8 last December, very solid car with minimal rust. After quite an ordeal procuring the elusive dual relay I had a running car!
Running but oil leaking and slipping clutch.
Pulled the motor and trans, discovered the oil leaks were from dried up pushrod O-rings and a ruptured oil pressure sender.
Bought a Sachs clutch kit and gasket set from FCP Euro. The while-im-at-it's kicked in so the heads went to the machine shop for guides and valve grind, new Hastings rings and other parts from 914 Rubber, Pelican etc. standard top end overhaul.
After replacing the motor and buttoning everything together, crank but no start..... Bummed! Seemed to have spark, good fuel pressure but no start, maybe a cough occasionally... WTH??? It was running before!
Remembered years ago a similar problem with another car, replaced the ignition condensor and solved the problem.
Bad condensor, problem solved. 1.8 runs great!Click to view attachment Click to view attachmentClick to view attachmentClick to view attachment[attachmentid=913
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Nice work keeping the ole girl running strong. I put the pertronix in mine and it worked out pretty nice.

Another victory

50 years ago I learned this lesson in a 65 Pontiac tempest. Not easy to find so good job.

Way to go! Especially on finding that dual relay. Now time to go to a 123 distributor and get rid of the points and condenser forever.

I’m old, I can troubleshoot points and condenser. Electronic ignition, not so much. I’m sure it’s a great upgrade.


BTW, thanks @fiacra for the research on the replacement dual relays, even though I had already found one, will keep a few l-jet cars on the road.