no spark to distributor cap

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searcher1990

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Hey guys. I have been working on a 66 barracuda for 3 1/2 years and am finally ready to start a built 68 340 I put in it. I have fuel to carburetor and power to coil but nothing coming out of coil to cap wire. Odd thing is with key "on" I have power to both + and - side of coil. I thought I just had a bad new coil and bought a 2nd but have same problem. Have installed electronic distributor and wired it to directions but here I am. Any help is greatly appreciated. I am freaking out being this close and it not starting.
 
OK you are going to have to slow down a bit

Just exactly WHAT comprises the ignition system? Is this breaker points or breakerless"

If breakerless what are you using for an electronics package and or is it one of those "ready to run" distributors with electronics in the dist?

SOME TYPES of electronic ignition do NOT draw coil current with key on/ engine stopped. GM HEI modules for example are of that type. Mopar ignition modules DO

So first we have to know what you are working WITH

Photos might help LOL

So far as "the simple stuff" are you sure the dist. is actually rotating with the starter?

Alternatively, do you have an old used (but maybe working) distributor that you can drop in?
 
OK, I will have to check all this after I get off work. The engine builder that built the engine supplied distributor and coil. I will check and see if distributor is rotating. I will post pics as well. Thanks for getting me started in the right direction.
 
OK - the rotor is turning with starter. I have attached some photos for your viewing pleasure. if no power to coil wire when powered on then I suppose I messed up setting distributor? Thanks for any help on this.

driverside.jpg


coil.jpg


dist.jpg


what 016.JPG
 
Put a screw driver in the coil tower and rest it close to a metal ground. Jumper a wire to the negative coil terminal and tap the lead to a ground and watch for a spark off the screwdriver shaft. It should spark when you lift the ground that will test your coil. Move coil wire d to tower and other end close to a ground and trip coil.again. should see spark. That will test the lead. The distributor fires coil when it breaks the ground to the coil. Simple.....if the distributor doesn't break the ground (or has no ground to break) then it won't fire the coil.
 
really appreciate it. I will try this out after I get wife to Dr appt.
 
Also clip your voltmeter to the coil+ Turn key to run. You should have bypassed the ballast and coil+ should see full battery V to ground. Next, prop up meter so you can see it and crank engine using the key. Once again, you should see "same as battery" voltage (It will pull down when cranking) and at least 10.5V or higher.
 
Awesome help, I now have spark to plugs. Just have to find the right timing and it should fire up. Hopefully today is the day after 3 1/2 years.
 
There are many good threads on FABO about pre-setting the timing. Hell, Del posted it many times!!! I used it when I fired up my first build a year and a half ago.!!
 
Awesome day! its running and sounding wicked. I just cant get a video to download with sound. it keeps losing sound sending from phone to computer. Thanks for all the help getting it sorted out. As soon as I get a video to load up i'll post it on here, you wont be disappointed.
 
I moved the ground and had power to plugs. Then set motor to top dead center and reset distributor and it fired right off. I have tried 8-9 times to get stupid video of engine running on here but no success. I will try again tomorrow
 
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