No Spark help

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This is actually where I got my diagrams from, such an great resource.
Just be careful if yoiu're looking at the wiring diagrams they have posted. They've been ripped from Haynes or Chiltons or something. The ones in the FSMs are much more accurate. Occassionally you'll find mistakes or confusion in them as well, but once you figure out the system they're the best.
A is usually battery circuit.
R is usually Alternator (output) feed.
J is Ignition (which also feeds the alternator field and other key systems)

Each wire gets its own number, or number and letter depending if its a subcircuit or just a segment between connectors.

Last is wire size and color.

The '73 (and prob '74) Dodge diagrams have the connectors labeled C___ and pages with a key for each connector.

When figuring out the wiring its super helpful to highlight or redraw just the circuits you're interested in. (For some years, its almost the only way because the diagrams have to be pieced together.) Old school way for techs was to trace. I generally prefer to draw what is needed on paper. Copying that way makes it stick better in my head. But sometimes it means doing it over a few times. If its already scanned in, then reworking a screenshot in IRFAN or MS-paint is another option - the one I use most when on-line.
 
Well at this point I am stepping away from this and going to need someone more experienced with electrical to take over. Maybe I just am not grasping it but i'm just chasing my tail and nothing seems to make a difference.

I don't understand how the car ran with no issues until we put this motor in. Nothing electrical was messed with inside the engine bay or under the dash.

I completely pulled the bulkhead plugs and went through each one and cleaned the crap out of the connectors just to make sure I have a solid connection.

Still drop volts like crazy when the lights are on. Electrical is not my cup of tea and I think I am just getting myself messed up with all the diagrams and lack of knowledge/experience.
 
I understand how you feel lol. My entire season last year was fd due to electrical issue(s).
Mattax advice with drawing out YOUR schematics(if you have made mods/changes) is a good idea. Took me about 6 tries to get it, pretty sure its accurate now. Helps solidify in your mind how its wired and works.
It could be a coincidence/timing with your problem.
Take a couple days off. Make sure to keep notes.
Good luck.
 
So I have never been much of a quitter lol just needed a break. I went through the bulkhead as well as the main connector under the dash and every connector under the hood. I used my trusty little dremel and a skinny diamond bit and cleaned every connector to keep a solid connection. I tested the volts at the battery and the alternator with the key off and they are the same again. I am still getting a huge draw when the lights are on which is equal to when the key is on. The voltage at the coil has increased slightly to about 4.6 volts, but that is constant even when cranking.

I still have someone coming over tomorrow evening to look at it with me, but any idea of what I should check under the dash now?

Previous owner had an alarm installed which I just finished removing. it was cleanly installed with no wires spliced they used the nice t-taps so uninstall was 5 minutes.
 
Why are you measuring voltage at the coil?

If there is voltage drop from the battery to the main splice, then find that first.
If there is a voltage drop from the main splice to the ballast resistor, then narrow that that down.
If there is a voltage drop to the coil its hard to know anything 'cause current is flowing through the resistor and when the distributor is turning its being turned on and off!

As far as grinding terminals go - I don't know. You'll have to be the judge of that. You may have to adjust the female terminals if you've thinned the males.

When there is a drop, you have to junction to junction along the current path until you find the location(s) of resistance.

As far as spark goes, check the coil wire is seated better than in the photo, and preferably find a coil that is in spec.

You'll have to buy '74 FSM. In the meantime you can piece together information using the '73 along with what you find from other sources about '74 including what you actually find on the car.
 
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A gray wire is often tach or some sort of signal. The terminal looks like the one used with oil pressure senders. In the other photo there was a pressure sender or switch with nothing connected and a mechanical sender Tee'd into it. So my guess is that its related.
I've seen electric chokes that had a oil pressure switch (no pressure, no power) but don't know if that's what you've got. If so - find that supply wire (hot in run) and make sure its not shorting or grounding.

Don't know how you're checking for spark. While a screw driver works, an in-line tester is what I prefer these days. Cheap, consistant, easy to see and safer too.
 
View attachment 1715355783
A gray wire is often tach or some sort of signal. The terminal looks like the one used with oil pressure senders. In the other photo there was a pressure sender or switch with nothing connected and a mechanical sender Tee'd into it. So my guess is that its related.
I've seen electric chokes that had a oil pressure switch (no pressure, no power) but don't know if that's what you've got. If so - find that supply wire (hot in run) and make sure its not shorting or grounding.

Don't know how you're checking for spark. While a screw driver works, an in-line tester is what I prefer these days. Cheap, consistant, easy to see and safer too.
Your right sorry I forgot to mention I figured that wire out, it was the oil pressure wire. As far as the testing spark, I have the number 1 wire to a spark plug and I too am using a screw driver to less then if not equal to the gap.
 
Well I finally got the car running a few days ago. I am embarrassed to admit it but I was 180 out from TDC. When I assembled the motor I though I was at TDC, but I guess I was wrong. Between a junk distributor pickup and the 180 out. Now it fires and purs like a cat hacking up a hairball! lol jk thank you guys again for all your support I have learned a ton about my electrical system now and have a couple spare parts to keep in the trunk.

 
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