No spark

[AirSpeed]

Just finished installing my new 350, have ground straps connected, 12 volt to the coil but no spark. Coil, cap, rotor, plugs all new. The engine turns over very fast but I can't get spark. I went through the wiring and all seems good. Any ideas?

[BruthaMan]

Negative battery cable to engine block?

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by BruthaMan

Negative battery cable to engine block?

Yep, I just don't get it! I'm pretty sure I have it timed right but even if not I should see spark

[asolde]

The yellow wire from your starter selinoid to your coil?

[hamjet]

Pull cap, make sure dizzy is spinning, make sure rotor is on good. I'm sure you checked, just reaching...

[elimontfort]

hei or points and a condenser?

[LockDoc]

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I just went through this with my '34 Ford coupe. I didn't have the coil wire all the way down into the distributor cap. Once I corrected that it fired right up. (only if you are running a points distributor)

LockDoc

[AirSpeed]

Turns out one I hadn't plugged the power wire to the cap, the insulated connector was on the side of the lug! Got it stated but I cant get it timed, I had it at tdc, rotor pointing to number one, timing mark on zero, this is an HEI by the way. checked my firing order and it's good. It just won't time and run really smooth. I took off the vac line on dist and plugged it. Anyone have any suggestions?

[kwmech]

Off a tooth/teeth? Valves too tight?

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

Turns out one I hadn't plugged the power wire to the cap, the insulated connector was on the side of the lug! Got it stated but I cant get it timed, I had it at tdc, rotor pointing to number one, timing mark on zero, this is an HEI by the way. checked my firing order and it's good. It just won't time and run really smooth. I took off the vac line on dist and plugged it. Anyone have any suggestions?

OK firing order is good, but the wires have to be on the exact place where they belong on the cap in order for the distributor to be in phase. If it's out of phase, it wouldn't advance or retard enough. It has to be exactly like this picture.

[litew8]

I was going to say, it's a new engine the OP didn't put it together. Go through the process again of tdc etc... ensure all plug wires are seated, grab a chilton

[hamjet]

Check for vacuum leaks also. if its bad enough it will have the same simptoms you describe.

[AirSpeed]

Originally Posted by hamjet

Check for vacuum leaks also. if its bad enough it will have the same simptoms you describe.

Going to check that in just a few minutes. Thanks

[AirSpeed]

I'm still having issues getting this new 350 to run right, I haven't ran the engine more than a total of five minutes while I try different things but I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to damage something since the engine isn't broken in. It's not backfiring or running super rough but I have no clue if I could potentially mess something up! Am I worrying for nothing?

[mechanicalman]

Originally Posted by AirSpeed

I'm still having issues getting this new 350 to run right, I haven't ran the engine more than a total of five minutes while I try different things but I'm starting to wonder if I'm going to damage something since the engine isn't broken in. It's not backfiring or running super rough but I have no clue if I could potentially mess something up! Am I worrying for nothing?

Maybe the advance shaft in the dist is sticking. Try taking off the rotor cap, visually inspect the weights/springs, see if the rotor shaft moves freely and springs back after you turn it towards advance. The weights may have fell out of position when it was out of the truck.

[hamjet]

If you can keep it running, and have oil pressure, not overheating, the most important thing right now is to get that cam and lifters broken in. keep it running around 2000 -2500 rpm for 20 or so minutes watching over engine, maybe turning the dizzy alittle to smooth things out till they break in. then worry about the other problems...