ignition problem...

[knightlife]

ok, as yall know I usually am pretty decent at figuring out my own problems and fixing them... but this one definately has me stumped lolz...

after rebuilding the motor, getting it all put back together with the new parts (everything perfect). I stab the new distributor wire it in, plug in all the plugs....

no spark... wtf!? thought maybe it was a bad coil, bug, or rotor... turns out none of the above. everything is wired up exactly how it was when she was running, nothing is grounding out...

ideas, suggestions? lolz...


thanks in advance...

Kru

[Nolowrider]

The engine is turning over, correct?

12 volts from a switched source?

Did you check to make sure you have 12 volts to the dist?

Check the fuse from the 12 volts source.

What kind of dist?

If it is not a HEI, check to make sure the coil wire is good.

Do you have a CDI?

Sometime on a HEI, it is possible that the 12 volts missed the connector when plugged in. Happend to me before. Wire felt like it was connected, but it wasn't.

[knightlife]

engine attempts to turn over...

14.6v from source

full powwa at the dist

no fuse leading up into the dist

HEI Dist, no CDI

dbl checked to make sure the wire was plugged all the way ... I truly think she hates me...



Im thinking it has to be something in the wiring... pulled a plug (#1), put the spark plug back in the wire then checked to see if it was sparking, no to de spark...kinda frustrated... havent been asleep since 1930 last night lolz...

[James McClure]

Did you replace the coil? If so, did you get the grounding tab for the coil out of the old cap. Also run a resistance\continuity check on the pick up coil\pole piece. Jim

[mhicks]

180 degrees out?

[vtwinsport]

Uhmm,
How slow is it cranking over? Any groans from the starter? If it is pathetically slow and barely turning over you may have to shim your starter. Mine acted like it had a near dead battery and seemed liked it had fudge in the engine- a squirrel running in a cage was faster than my engine turning. It was turning so slow I couldn't get a spark. Ultimately, the starter gear was jamming up against the flywheel.
Otherwise, got the engine grounded to the frame? I missed that too on my crate replacement.

[knightlife]

new starter new battery... no slow whine... she tries reallllly hard, and wants to... I just cant figure out why she wont....

[72gmcworker]

My 2 cents

could it be the module in the HEI

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=1

They can just crap out at any time with no warning which would equate to no spark

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Honestly to me it sounds like you are missing your motor ground strap or you have your starter relay wire on the wrong post......

[87Bob]

Originally Posted by knightlife

new starter new battery... no slow whine... she tries reallllly hard, and wants to... I just cant figure out why she wont....

Do you have a spark flash tool? Looks like a ball point pen you hold it next to a plug wire and if your are getting power to the plugs the neon inside will flash as the the charge goes to the plug. They don't cost much and they'll save you from getting zapped plus they'll even show a weak spark. Any good auto parts store should have one or be able to get one. If you get a flash without fire then your out of time. Sounds to me that your out of time. Did you check it with a timing light? Do you have fuel? An old mechanic told me once you need three things fuel air and a spark at the right time. Since air is on the out side trying to get in as long as the valves are working that is a given. If your running a carb and you can see gas from the accel pump you know you have gas. That just leaves spark at the right time.

[454HO]

If you have a new hyd flat tappet cam in that engine, I bet all your moly-lube has been wiped off the lobes by now since you've been cranking it that much. If I were you, I would pull the intake off and re-lube the lifters as soon as I figured out the distributer problem. And when you do get it fired up, follow the proper break-in procedure for the cam.

[vtwinsport]

180 out sounds like a good item to check. You may know all this already but- could pull your drivers side valve cover (easy to take on and off) and check the push rods for wiggle and if valves are both down then check your number one cap position to rotor position. Alternately, could use a TDC tool which gets shoved in #1 plug hole. Hope that helps.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! Dude!
"The engine attempts to turn over",...I think that is goal number one. Find out why that engine doesn't turn rapidly. New bearings? Did you plastigauge to determine clearance? Are crankshaft caps and rod caps torques proper? With plugs out, will it turn by hand?
Grounding to the block from the battery? Are the battery positive and negative cables OK?
Haven't run across TOO many bad starters, but could THAT be a problem? Todd.

[knightlife]

ok... now that I know I am a complete effin idiot...

It was an under the dash fuse not allowing the cause of spark. I got let off work early at the squadron due to it being a slow night.

went out there and dbl checked through everything... I only looked at the inline fuse on the passenger side of the dash that I installed as a "just in case" fuse...

is it sleep deprivation or retardation on my behalf? either way... I am going to bed now...

prolly later today or sometime in the morrow I will do the adjustment on my lifters (she was chokin a smidge from too much pressure on the lifters).


Thanks all for the advice and help...

[Nolowrider]

Don't be so hard on yourself, things happen. The important thing is that YOU figured it out and fixed it. I wouldn't call this a "bonehead" event, but we have all did (and will do) the same thing. When you get to my age, we call them "senior moments". Enjoy your new rebuild.

[asphaltburner]

Yo! knightlife!
Been there, done that, bought the "T" shirt, and wore it out!!
I find that I can fix alot of nasty problems by "sleeping on it". It's that fresh look at the problem that makes it a "no brainer" the next day. I think it's 'cause of the panic that sets in when all SHOULD work, and it doesn't.
Glad you fiqured it out! Have fun! Pics?
Yo! Nolowrider,...retired Navy, huh? Perhaps I shoulda stayed in! USS California CGN-36 1976-1980, E-5 sonarman.
Todd.