No Spark in New Engine!

[james singleton]

I got my newly rebuilt motor (66' -200c.i.) installed and the engine cranking over real nice, but no fire (spark) going from coil to distributor! I checked the voltage coming from the ignition to the +/side of the coil and it shows around 4.5 volts. I read on one of the early posts a while back that there should be a voltage drop (from a ballast resister or resistence wire) that delivers 6 to 8 volts to the coil and not a full 12 volt current! So I am getting 4.5 volts which is close, but I am getting absolutely NO voltage from my coil to the distributor. Does it sound like I need a new coil??? This coil is old, but was working before the rebuild! What do any of you think? Bad coil or should I be looking at anything else! I am getting a little desperate because it is a new motor and I am afraid of cranking the motor over too many times without it firing! Thanks!

 

[ludwig]

You may have stabbed the diz 180* out of sync. Test the TDC by putting your finger into the 1st plug hole. When the piston rises and makes pressure, you are on the right upstroke. If it rises and there is no pressure you are on the exhaust stroke and the engine will have to go around one more time.

Good luck.

 

[james singleton]

New engine (200) turns over, but no spark coming from coil and going to the distributor. Besides the fact there is no spark, when I turn ignition to"ON" position (not "START" position) the engine starts turning over and will not stop when I turn key to "OFF" position; I have to disconnect the battery cable to get the engine to stop! New solenoid installed, but old coil! I wouldn't think a bad coil would cause engine to start in the "ON" position; maybe the reason for no spark to the dist.! I am getting 4.5 volts to the +/side of the coil when cranking the engine over. Does it sound like a bad ignition switch? And could this cause no spark from the coil? Help! Thanks!

 

[james singleton]

Also forgot to ask, Ludwig or anyone, would being 180 degrees off on the timing cause any of the problems that I mentioned in my post above (no spark, engine starting in the "On" position instead of the "START" position, etc.) Thanks for any help!

 

[jahearne]

You got your wires crossed. Check the connections at the soleniod. A good wiring diagram is key. Double & triple check everything.

Good luck,

 

[ludwig]

You can get a real factory diagram on the internet.

 

[ludwig]

Check here:

http://www.hammar.dyndns.org/wiring/wiring1966.htm

 

[james singleton]

Hooray!!! I finally have a spark on my new engine (200) and it sounds great (even without any fine tuning yet). My earlier post indicated that the engine was turning over when the key was turned to "ON" position, not "START" position, and would not quit cranking over when key turned to "OFF" position; I had to remove battery cable. JAHEARNE, you were right about this problem; the two smaller wires on the solenoid were crossed! The reason for no spark from my coil to the distributor appears to be one of two things; either a new set of points did the trick, or a grd. wire from the bottom of the dist. to the dist. plate that the points, condenser, etc., sit on was not connected! Because I changed out new points (with old condenser) and reconnected that grd. wire in the dist. at the same time, I am not sure which was the culprit for not getting any spark. First time trying to start the engine after making those changes the engine started right up! What a relief! LUDWIG, thanks for the info on wiring diagram. Thanks, I feel musch better!

 

[jahearne]

Congrats!!!

 

[ludwig]

That's really the coolest part of this site. You get real help from real pals.
Congratulations. It is a great feeling to fire that guy up the first time.