Here's my situation:

- I pulled the valve cover in order to watch the valves.
-I set the piston at true tdc when both valves were closed on my #1 cylinder, not when one or the other was partially open.

- I set the distributor in place pointing to my #1 and have my order correct.
- the plugs are ok
- I set my initial points gap correctly against the flat part of the octagon.
- I ran the distributor wire to the negative side of the coil.
- I have the ign switch to the positive side of the coil
- Coil was tested in my other car and works well
- Starter cranks over fine.
- Carb is ok. I pulled it from my running driving truck.

It won't fire up. Not sure why. Is there a way I can run a jumper wire from the battery to somewhere to energize the system? I'm thinking my ign. switch isn't giving a signal to the coil or something.

 

The gap is set at the peak. Your points are never closing.

 

You said you set the gap at the flat spot? You need to get the rub block at the high point or the lobe and then set gap.

I know that were missing two lobes but the same for 4,6 and 8 cyl.

Pat

 

Ooooo. I was under the impression that the peak closed the gap and made connection.

Now is one of those times that my youth is blatantly obvious.
My other cars all have hei or pertronix kits that I put in.
Never really learned about points, because I never had to. Today, I
m feeling squirrly and I want to learn.

 

I would recommend a tach and dwell, its much easier and accurate. If its a v8 set it at 30 and your done! Then reset your timing.

 

Update:
I got spark all worked out. Gapped it at .019 and it was popping off on a couple cylinders.

New problem I discovered:
I pulled the plugs out after cranking and cranking with no complete fire up. Most of them were dry.
Uh, oh. Mice in the intake maybe?

I pulled the intake and found fuel puddled in some of the passenger side intake ports. Looks like the valves are stuck, or the push rods are all bent up on that side.

Another note.... after all the cranking , the timing mark on the balancer had jumped from 0 to 20 advanced, so it jumped time as well.

JUNK.

 

Hoard all you can. When the s*&t hits the fan and the EMPs go off cars with points will be the only ones running.

 

LOL, very true!