[STATUTORY GRAPE]

I have a distributor on a 350 sbc that has power to the points but nothing to the spark plug. Is there somewhere in between that could the problem or do I just need a new distributor? Is there a pickup coil in a distributor with points/condensor ? I used a test light on the coil + and - and it lights up on both, is that normal? When I spin the distributor back and forth (like static timing), there's no spark at the plug. Any suggestions

[Jmark]

Bad condensor? Seen it happen many times.
Forgot to put the rotor back in?
Bad coil.

BTW, there is no pickup coil in a points dist.

[Sleeve396]

Jus in case make sure that the condenser wire does not have a break in it, likewise check the wire where it comes out the bottom of the distributor and see it on the correct side of the coil, keep us posted

[Jmark]

Broken ground wire going from the point plate to the dist housing?

[STATUTORY GRAPE]

With my test light, I have power to the coil (+ and -), theres power to the terminal on the outside of the dist., to the terminal INSIDE the dist., and power to the points, then the light goes out when I spin the dist and open the points, and from there on theres no spark on the spark plug. Points are obviously good. I'm gonna try a new condensor first since it's cheap and see what happens. I'll let you guys know what I get it figgerd out. I'm still open for suggestions though

[gizmo-1948]

Check your rotor-it may be shorting between the rotor tab thru to the dist shaft. Try the old method of placing the coil wire next to a good ground point-key on-open and close the points by hand and see if you get spark out of the coil. If you do, then the rotor is faulty or the cap itself is possibly missing the carbon button in the center.

[STATUTORY GRAPE]

I'm still trying to figure this thing out. I have a very weak spark when I pull the points apart with a screwdriver and still nothing to the plugs. I will buy new parts tomorrow, possibly just buy a whole damn distributor and be done with it . I'm guessing it's somewhere in that area anyway.

[nickeldimerods]

i am having what sounds like exactly the same problems on my 283, the only thing i have done that you seem like you haven't is checked how much power you are actually getting to the points and how much it is under load. basically if this is a new set up, make sure you don't have and external ignition resistor and an internal resistor in the coil as well. i have a brand new distributer in mine like i said i still cant get fire to the plugs either. good luck, post it if you figure it out.

[fast68]

HEI time

[DoubleVision]

As I`ve said many times on this board, the best place for points is the trash.

[nickeldimerods]

yea its a clever little phase and i have read it from you in a more than a few posts while i looked for some real advice. this may seem difficult to understand but i would actually like to run my car with a point system and i would rather learn how to set up the system and tune it correctly. i never asked for a quick and easy fix

[StevenC]

Find the posts by Docvette regarding weak spark..he makes some real good posts on the matter.

[56 Project]

Set the points gap at .017 to .019 on the high point of the lobes. Condensers are cheap so I would replace it. Make sure that rotor is installed correctly. Check coil tower for any signs of a crack. I've had bad coils also that showed spark but would not run the engine. (Did a timing chain on one because of the coil.)

[jimfulco]

Basics:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system4.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/cs/gener.../aa052502a.htm

[56 Project]

Thank you for the leads. I did not realize that info was available. Thanks again.