No Fire!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Stanford · 03-30-2004, 12:25 AM

Here's the deal. Ive been working on putting a 350 in the place of a 305 V6 in my '68 3/4 4x4, it has managed to fight me tooth and nail the entire time. Friday I finally got it all put together, everything ready to go and no fire. Checked it over and over, had a couple of friends come by, turns out I was missing a ground plug in the HEI cap. I got that ground and still no fire. I have all the grounds, a full 12 volts to it and have replaced everything in the distributer. The only thing that hasn't been replaced was the base. Any ideas and thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Stanford

bpmcgee · 03-30-2004, 02:11 AM

Have you checked a wire to see if you get spark?

If you're getting 12 volts to the HEI, but are NOT getting spark at the plug, there are two things -- the module, which is cheap at NAPA, and the coil, which is slightly more expensive.

Brian

phestus · 03-30-2004, 10:09 AM

When you say "no fire", do you mean the engine doesn't fire , or do you mean "no spark"?

If you have the spark (white's right, blue'll do, red's dead..) and you have fuel and compression, if it's not firing , likely the spark is happening at the wrong time,retarded or advanced..
Very common to put a distributor in 180 degrees out, and they just don't work that way..Let us know what happens..

sneakysnake · 03-30-2004, 11:20 AM

You say "ground strap in cap" I had a buddy that rebuilt his HEI and forgot to put the ground back on the coil and kept knocking modules, you may need to have your coil and module checked.

williars · 03-30-2004, 11:25 AM

Simular circumstance just happened to my 69 Camaro. Had juice to the distibutor but nothing else. After several days of cursing, I checked the ignition switch. When the switch was "on" I had 12 volts. When I turned the key over to start, I had nothing. This is the first time I ever had this problem and I doubt you have the same thing, but just an idea to toss your way....because its just not something you thing about.

Stanford · 03-30-2004, 07:00 PM

Yeah, I have no spark. I replaced the module and coil at the very beginning. I did however try to get it running with out the proper grounds and i don't know if it possible that, that would have burnt them up or not. I had the engine at top dead and the rotor pointed to number one, so I pretty sure the distributer is in the right way, and I do have a full twelve when im cranking it over and not just when it in the "on" position.

Thanks for the help,

Stanford

Erl · 03-30-2004, 07:15 PM

What are you planning on doing with the 305V6?
Erl

WRMZ71 · 03-30-2004, 07:25 PM

Have you changed the pick up coil? I had a problem one time where i was having the same problem you're having. I put in a new ignition coil and had the ignition module tested and it was good. If you say you haven't touched the base of the dissy thats where the pick up coil is. It is attached to the wires that plug into your cap. You have to take the distributor shaft apart to take it out but I changed mine with the same problems you're having and it fired right up. If everythings where its supposed to be (TDC, coil is good, cap's good, rotors good, and ignition module is good, then I'd say its your pick up coil. I think I paid about 15 bucks or so for mine so there not expensive.

cableguy0 · 03-30-2004, 07:42 PM

its very possible that trying to start it with no ground strap on the coil fried the module or the coil have em checked

03-30-2004, 12:25 AM	#1
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	No Fire!! Here's the deal. Ive been working on putting a 350 in the place of a 305 V6 in my '68 3/4 4x4, it has managed to fight me tooth and nail the entire time. Friday I finally got it all put together, everything ready to go and no fire. Checked it over and over, had a couple of friends come by, turns out I was missing a ground plug in the HEI cap. I got that ground and still no fire. I have all the grounds, a full 12 volts to it and have replaced everything in the distributer. The only thing that hasn't been replaced was the base. Any ideas and thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

03-30-2004, 10:09 AM	#3
phestus Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: In a snowdrift in Manitoba Posts: 39	When you say "no fire", do you mean the engine doesn't fire , or do you mean "no spark"? If you have the spark (white's right, blue'll do, red's dead..) and you have fuel and compression, if it's not firing , likely the spark is happening at the wrong time,retarded or advanced.. Very common to put a distributor in 180 degrees out, and they just don't work that way..Let us know what happens.. __________________ '70 C-10, mostly rust n' dust '74 BMW R90/6 "The quickest way to get yourself out of a hole, is to stop digging..."

03-30-2004, 11:25 AM	#5
williars Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Waldorf, Maryland Posts: 23	Simular circumstance just happened to my 69 Camaro. Had juice to the distibutor but nothing else. After several days of cursing, I checked the ignition switch. When the switch was "on" I had 12 volts. When I turned the key over to start, I had nothing. This is the first time I ever had this problem and I doubt you have the same thing, but just an idea to toss your way....because its just not something you thing about. __________________ Ryan 69 Camaro 396 Yenko Clone 71 Cheyenne SWB 402 69 C-10 Stepside 454 4speed 83 Scottsdale Stepside 350/Auto 99 Mustang GT In the works: 67 Chevy II Nostalgia Straight Axle Blown 427

03-30-2004, 07:00 PM	#6
Stanford WILLY FOR PRESIDENT!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 190	Yeah, I have no spark. I replaced the module and coil at the very beginning. I did however try to get it running with out the proper grounds and i don't know if it possible that, that would have burnt them up or not. I had the engine at top dead and the rotor pointed to number one, so I pretty sure the distributer is in the right way, and I do have a full twelve when im cranking it over and not just when it in the "on" position. Thanks for the help, Stanford __________________ *"He's a high tech REDNECK."* George Jones '67 C/10 FOR SALE!! $600, runs, strait grill, good parts, or beater truck '68 GMC K25, 4x4, current project '71 Custom/10, Crate 350, My Baby!! '97 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP

03-30-2004, 07:15 PM	#7
Erl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 555	What are you planning on doing with the 305V6? Erl __________________ 1968 GMC 305 V6 3/4 4x4 Stepside 06 Corvette Daily Driver Dallas TX

03-30-2004, 02:11 AM	#2
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	Have you checked a wire to see if you get spark? If you're getting 12 volts to the HEI, but are NOT getting spark at the plug, there are two things -- the module, which is cheap at NAPA, and the coil, which is slightly more expensive. Brian

03-30-2004, 11:20 AM	#4
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	You say "ground strap in cap" I had a buddy that rebuilt his HEI and forgot to put the ground back on the coil and kept knocking modules, you may need to have your coil and module checked.

03-30-2004, 07:25 PM	#8
WRMZ71 Cause the Chicks DIG IT!! Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Beaufort SC Posts: 509	Have you changed the pick up coil? I had a problem one time where i was having the same problem you're having. I put in a new ignition coil and had the ignition module tested and it was good. If you say you haven't touched the base of the dissy thats where the pick up coil is. It is attached to the wires that plug into your cap. You have to take the distributor shaft apart to take it out but I changed mine with the same problems you're having and it fired right up. If everythings where its supposed to be (TDC, coil is good, cap's good, rotors good, and ignition module is good, then I'd say its your pick up coil. I think I paid about 15 bucks or so for mine so there not expensive.

03-30-2004, 07:42 PM	#9
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,950	its very possible that trying to start it with no ground strap on the coil fried the module or the coil have em checked __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.



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