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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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major distributor issues!!!
I have 14,000 miles on everything new. I replaced EVERYTHING in the engine compartment. ( and most of the rest of truck. $20 k invested.) The distributor keeps goin out. At around 5000 miles it wouldnt start. Had no spark. I replaced the ignition module and coil in the HEI dist. It started right up. The same thing happened at around 8000, 10000, and 12000 miles. Every time I replace the module and coil it starts right up. Today it wont start AGAIN!!! I talked to an old time mechanic that said I have a constant voltage going to it when truck is off but I checked voltage and its zero volts. He told me to go back to points. Where is a good place to get a points distributor? and yes the ground strip is in the distrib and i used dielectric grease. Any help or ideas?
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Northwest NJ
Posts: 746
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
You did replace the old wire going to the distributor?That's all I can think of. Chris
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
yes i relaced the old wire
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#4 |
Between Trucks...
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Posts: 3,830
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
Yeah, make sure you're getting 12 volts to the HEI.
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Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
checked it and i am
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: stoddard nh
Posts: 693
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
whats the motor?
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
It's a 350 crate motor. 290hp. bought a chevy distributor
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
Quote:
Did you replace it with a GM module or aftermarket. Some of the Aftermarkets are junk and will do that. Also make sure you don't have excessive current to the Module Excessive current will increase the temperature of everything in the circuit. If a circuit fails in the module it can damage a coil and the coil will fail often. Likewise a partially shorted coil can destroy or damage modules. Aftermarket ones do not always have the current limiting that they should have. No need to go back to points. Need to check all voltage drops with a scope Last edited by mbgmike; 06-13-2010 at 01:23 PM. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I've replaced with napa parts and kragen parts. I've bought the cheap ones and the spendy ones. I think last time it was $45 for each part. That's $90 to fix one time. And I've fixed a few times. This is ridiculous and frustrating. I have spent hundreds of dollars. What about going to points?
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Idaho Territory
Posts: 32
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
When they say make sure you're getting 12 volts, they really mean 13.8 - 14.2 volts. Nothing runs on 12 volts unless it would be your old points coil. What kind of alternator are you running? Does it have a remote sense wire? or is it "one wire". To diagnose this you should hook a good voltmeter to the HEI power wire and drive the pickup. Watch for voltage spikes when you shut the lights/wipers/etc. off. Watch for low volts when running with all the accessories on. The HEI needs a consistent 13.8-14.2 volts.
Oh, and don't go back to points, if you are frustrated now you will learn to hate points.
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"..not ashamed of the gospel" Rom. 1:16 1968 C10 (newly acquired) 1967 Checker Marathon (waiting for paint) 1968 C50 Service Truck (resting in peace for now) I need another project like I need another hole in my head!!! Last edited by Captain Underdog; 06-13-2010 at 01:37 PM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I bought a new altenator from kragen. Its the newer style that doesnt use the voltage regulator mounted on the radiator support. I will try your advice but I need to get the truck running again! I am sick of breaking down and spending all that money to go a couple thousand miles! The wife wants me to sell it because of the problems. I replaced everything on the truck to make sure it"s reliable< but it keeps breakin down
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#12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: daytonabeach
Posts: 22,956
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
do you have good clean bright and shiny ground connections everywhere that is needed?
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71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY |
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#13 |
What?
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I wouldn't go back to points, but if you are ready to scrap the HEI... Then look at Pertronix.
Seriously though, the HEI shouldn't be going out that often. Have you taken the rig to an automotive electrical specialist? Rather than throw money away at parts, take it to a specialist and describe what is happening.
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Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Idaho Territory
Posts: 32
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I'll say it again; check the voltage supply to the HEI under driving conditions. We are running lots of newer electronics on an electrical system that wasn't designed to provide the power that the electronics need. A bigger/newer alternator like you already have is a good start, however the system must be wired to provide a consistent share of that power to everything that needs it. If your voltage supply to the HEI is fluctuating the cure is pretty simple and easy to do.
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"..not ashamed of the gospel" Rom. 1:16 1968 C10 (newly acquired) 1967 Checker Marathon (waiting for paint) 1968 C50 Service Truck (resting in peace for now) I need another project like I need another hole in my head!!! Last edited by Captain Underdog; 06-13-2010 at 02:23 PM. |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I doubt if its the alternator. You don't need to keep buying parts. Need to check for voltage drop with a scope. These problems generally lie in the coil and module. You need to know what it is
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I have redone All gronds and extra grounded everything. I know it shouldnt go out that often and thats what is frustrating. I took it to an electrical specialist for a different problem and it was kinda a joke. They just replaced parts until fixed. I coulda done that. I will take the advice of checkin voltage when running but I need to get it running again.
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
Here is a good article.
http://rmcavoy.freeshell.org/HEI.html |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Idaho Territory
Posts: 32
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
That's the beauty of forums like this; we usually do better than throwing parts at it. If you can use a scope like mbgmike says, that would be best. A scope is just a voltmeter displayed on a time line so you don't miss anything. If you don't have access to a scope just use a volt meter with a friend watching it as you drive.
If your pickup is wired like mine from the factory you will have to change some supply wiring to get consistent supply volts to everything. It's easy and simple. Take heart, you are almost done with this problem for good.
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"..not ashamed of the gospel" Rom. 1:16 1968 C10 (newly acquired) 1967 Checker Marathon (waiting for paint) 1968 C50 Service Truck (resting in peace for now) I need another project like I need another hole in my head!!! |
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#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
Quote:
I agree. You want full voltage to the HEI. need to remove any resistor wire that would be preventing that and replace with non- resistant wire |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
thanks for the help so far. I did remove the original wire with resistor and replaced with new wire
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cali Central Coast
Posts: 5,191
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
Quote:
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: san diego,ca
Posts: 125
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
I dont understand if i'm getting wierd voltage while driving, how come it runs fine and than wont start. Is it burning out the coil and module? Wouldnt the truck die when running?
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#23 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
This is a strange situation indeed. I replaced my points setup back in 87 right after I got my 70. Originally I didn't even run a new wire, never had any trouble with it other than changing plugs and wires. Probably put about 50k miles on it daily driving to work. I am still running the original alternator setup.
I wonder if you are getting a spike like stated earlier? |
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#24 |
Still Learning
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Central Oklahoma
Posts: 10,108
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
How's your battery? does it die when your coil and module die? Just curious if it still has voltage to it after you kill your truck?
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: major distributor issues!!!
Is this a factory Hei distibutor?with spark control
You can check the module to see if its working by disconnecting the 4 wire terminal from the module to the esc if you have one. If you have good power from the distributor it should spark You can pull the distributor out give it power and ground and spin it by hand and it will spark if the coil and module are good. Last edited by mbgmike; 06-13-2010 at 03:23 PM. |
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