I just converted from points to Hei distributor. I ran into a little problem trying to get the engine to fire. It cranks but won't fire.

When we first put put the distributor on we made a mistake and wired it wrong and it burnt the ignition module wires. Did that possibly mess up the module.?

We have the tach side grounded and the battery to ignition. Could it possibly be wired wrong?

my uncle helped me get to tdc and drop it in
Could it be a timing issue or needing a new timing chain

Need help ASAP.!
like always any type of advice or help is always accepted

 

I'm not at all familiar with HEI, but wondering why you have the tach output grounded? Isn't that shorting out the spark signal? And if you burned wires, you may well have injured the module.

 

What's wrong with points besides basic maintenance?

Do you have spark?

 

I'm very new to wiring it and that's what my uncle suggested. But if you know how to wire them can you please inform me

 

no spark when I put a screw driver into the plug wires to test. but has fire going to distributor.

 

it stopped firing when I had the points. Because of the accel cool so just went ahead and replaced the worn point distributor and cool altogether.

 

Next step is to see if you actually have spark. Put a timing light on plug #1 and see if it flashes.

 

Thanks for the reply and as far as the tach side of the hei distributor where do I run it.

 

If you have no tach, nothing is connected there. If your distributor is connected directly to the battery the engine will not shutoff with the key.

 

I don't have it connected to the battery. The side of the hei that says BAT is connected to ignition. And the other side I had grounded which is TACH side. I'm confused on where does the Tach side goes? Because you said if it's grounded it won't fire which is obviously my problem.

 

Nothing connects to it. Do not use the resistance wire that was originally on the old coil positive post.

 

ok thanks will keep you informed on what happens.

 

Where is the directions? But yes Eric got you going in the right direction. Get your battery side hooked up and disregard the tach output, unless you ad a tach as previously stated

 

good question where is the directions been asking myself that the whole time I was wondering how to put everything together lol. Thanks for replying. And I'll just disregard it.

 

Did you get it going?

 

I got rained out today I will be attempting to do it tomorrow. I will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the info and I'm starting to believe that it's also how my uncle sat my distributor in because where he wanted me to start with number 1 is on the opposite side of number 1 piston. So I basically have to do all of it over again, luckily I still have it at TDC

 

If you were trying to start it how do you know that #1 is on TDC compression?

 

If its not on the compression stroke then the rotor would be pointed to #6.

 

it's on TDC but he told me to start the number 1 plug on opposite side which seems wrong.
Ive researched it and seen the proper way of doing it.
So im going to attack the project tomorrow.

 

The rotor is currently pointing at #1 but he had me start the number 1 plug at the one which is pointing towards #6

 

If his uncle stabbed it in on the wrong cylinder and he cranked it, He has to find TDC compression again.
Maybe I am just confused.

 

I agree, first find #1 tdc on the compression stroke by rotating the engine with your finger over or with a tissue gently pushed in the #1 spark plug hole. When you rotate the engine you will feel air come out of the hole with your finger, or it will blow the tissue out. Move the machined line on the balancer to the 0 mark on the timing gauge. That will be #1.
Wire as per this picture with the power plug for the distributor pointing to the drivers side fender making sure the rotor is pointing to the #1 referenced spark plug tower on the cap in the picture.

 

You need to tell your uncle thanks but no thanks for further help! Just start fresh and drop the distributor back in at TDC on cylinder #1. Put the rotor on and which ever tower it's pointing to is now #1. Follow the firing order and it rotates CCW.

 

ok will do and thanks that helped a lot!

 

thanks for the diagram it helps a lot !!