am havin sum bother wi my 78 vette spark transfer.a yellow accel points coil feeding a mallory mag.br,less dist. on when i got it,lately it has died on me and wont start at all just floods,tdc confirmed at dist tower #1 and all leads in firing order the spark emitted at the plug electrode is a yellow orange not blue as prefered,is this a sign that the coil has given up?

Could be a bad coil or a weak voltage to the primary side of the coil. I would check the voltage at teh coil to start with, make sure it is full battery voltage. Also check to be sure the engine grounds are solid

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Chet

thanx f that t.bucket,as it turns out the ballast resistor was non existent,just caught it b4 total failure and the coil was a super points coil feedin the mallory mag.elec dist,no good am told.so,ive replaced the leads w blue max spirals,the coil w correct mallory and ball.res.,refurbed plugs and guess wot!still wont start,still flooding not even tryin!removed plugs and left overnyt t dry out,going to it w a big stick tmoro!!!!

What spark plug gap are you running? It should be no more than .035 with your ignition setup.

Also with your distributor/coil a ballast resistor is not used. This will cause a very weak spark output to your spark plugs.

the local supplier insisted that ball.was required!cost 8 pounds!would the coil not overheat without it?also mate,when i get both rockers rockin on pot 1 the ex.is still tight i dont wana ave t do all the clearances too! the plug gap is at .80!!!!they are short reach as domed piston tops ngk bpr4fs is their rating code.also the cam is from track spec not av retail?allegedly!

Try this test. Temporally hook up a jumper lead from the battery positive, to the coil positive. (with the ballast disconnected) Check for a hotter spark to your spark plugs.

The coil should say on it, if it is to be used with a ballast resistor, or without. I'll bet without.

thanx mate al try that tmro!fun this modifyin lark innit!

This is why I have refused to ever work at a dealership. Variety is the spice of life.