Technical 1970 Fiat 500 - Help

[Wymondham500]

We have had our little car for a few months now. Originally drove it home to Wymondham, Norfolk from London with zero issues. However, now when ever we take her out she drives okay for 10 miles or so and then cuts out. After about 5-10 mins and pathetically pushing and pulling on leads and distrubutor cap etc it will restart and be good for another 10 miles or so!
Any ideas?

 

[the hobbler]

2 possible causes spring to mind----do you have electronic ignition or 'points'. If it is 'electronic' there is a fair chance that it has been cooked---the distributor is right in the path of the 'cooling' air coming over the engine. Being that air can be over 100deg C, this temperature is out with the temperature operating range of all the electronic ignitions and will slowly cook them---the symptoms are exactly as you are describing.
If you still have 'points' ignition, there is a fair chance that it is the condenser at fault---for exactly the same reason; they don't like extreme heat. One way round that problem is to purchase one of the "Swiftune" competition condensers (SW.1G-CC) which, due to the wiring on them, can be mounted up by the coil---away from the heat. The 'Swiftune' condensers are not cheap, but due to the way that they are built, and the reason for their development, you are unlikely to get much problem with them. If you do fit one of these condensers, take advantage of its wire lengths and mount it by the coil.

 

[berkeleyman]

I agree with Hobbler that most new condensers are absolute rubbish, I fitted a new one when I first got my car and doing a full service, it lasted less than 5 mile and the car stopped. I refitted the old one and its still there 8 years and 10,000 miles later. However I did have a similar problem to yours but found the problem to be the coil overheating as the exhaust cover plate was missing. A lot of modern "new" coils are also crap and I have had classic cars cutting out on me after several miles due to new coils overheating.