friesjh

Hello all,

I am having trouble starting this motor. It is sitting in the frame, with the radiator support attached, etc...I am using a remote start button to get it cranking and I am applying 12 volts through a toggle switch to the plus side of the coil so I can shut it off. The problem is I am not getting any spark. I have tried three different coils. It cranks just fine, but no spark. What am I missing here?

Vintage Chief

Please don't laugh at me too much, but you're certain you have a full ground loop?

oldcutlass

It's not aground issue since the engine cranks. I'm assuming you are using a points distributor. Are they opening and closing?

friesjh

Yes I'm assuming ground is good since engine cranks good. Yes points distributor and points gapped to .019". So they are opening and pretty sure they close.

RetroRanger

New condenser?

friesjh

Yes all new points and condenser

oldcutlass

If your not getting spark, I'll assume they are not opening and closing. If you are getting spark, try advancing the distributor as you crank.

Sugar Bear

With a voltmeter check/confirm batt voltage at the coil with points open and at the points. Next close the points and retest, should be a little 2v? lower. If good check for spark from the coil wire (secondary high voltage) to ground, if none try another coil wire spark plug wire will work. If spark out of coil wire then check a few plugs and no spark then it's cap and/or rotor problem.

Distributor is turning, yes?

Pull a clean dry business card through the point contacts to clean them.

tnswt

All good advice...

I like to start by hooking up a timing light but instead of around the number one spark plug wire, hook to the high voltage wire from the coil to the distributor. Crank the engine and press the button on the timing light. Depending if you get no flash or a good steady flash you know which way to go--backwards to the coil, or forward to the distributor to isolate the problem.

jensenracing77

Are you sure the toggle switch is good? I just use an alligator clip on a wire to the coil and to turn it off I just pull the alligator clip off the coil. Are you sure the wire on the points is good and not shorted to ground somewhere.
Hook a dwell meter up and check it. It will read while cranking and not running if everything is working correct. Also, be sure the plug wires are hooked up correct and going counter clockwise around the distributor. I assume that is correct or it would at least be popping.

friesjh

I know new doesn't equal good, but everything is new except the actual distributor. I can't work on it any more today. I'll get the meter out tomorrow morning and do some testing. Thanks for the advice! I'll let you all know what I come up with.

friesjh

Finally got back to it this morning. There must have been been something between the points. When I stuck the feeler gauge between it Sparked a little. After that it worked fine. Started right up.

oldcutlass

Glad it was something simple.