Firing/ running issues

[The73'DartGuy]

I'm having issues with my 1973 Dodge Dart Custom. It's a 318 big block V8 with an automatic 3 speed trans. No matter what I do I can't get it to spark, I have tried 4 ignition coils, a new distributor cap, and messing with the carb tune, but I still can not get it to stay running, only sometimes will it fire, and it wont run for more then 10 seconds. Any comments are welcome, I appreciate any help, thank you.

 

[The73'DartGuy]

I forgot to mention I have a 4 barreled carb instead of the stock 2 barrel

 

[brian6pac]

Try running a jumper wire from the battery to the positive on the coil and see if it runs. if it does then you have a idea were to start looking.

 

[RedFish]

a 73 model will have a ignition control module, a magnetic pickup in the distributor, and dual ballast resistor. Any one of those components can cause the symptom you describe. They'll work for a minute or an hour and quit as they take a notion, or so it seems. It's actually a temperature related fault.
A factory service manual will detail diagnosing "no spark condition" and many of those manuals are free downloads at mymopar.com .
In some cases, the labor cost to diagnose and pin point which component is at fault will cost the customer more than the new parts installed. Best example is Fords TFI with module mounted on the distributer. Pennywise service was replace both pickup and module at once. And most cases resulted in no comeback. So it was a customer satisfaction method of service too.
There are rare cases where a electrical fault in a harness connector limits voltage supply to these components ( electronics aint gonna work right without a full 12 volts supplied ) and that fault could come and go with temperature change also.
So IF you discover that your ignition module gets 12 volts only rarely and briefly, You'll have to consider the ignition switch in the steering column. Manually operated switches are always suspect.

 

[The73'DartGuy]

*Update* the issue was identified and fixed the problem where the car would not cold start was due to the lack of a wire to the electric choke, and the distributor pickup wire was bad. Thank you for your suggestions and comments.