Technical Trying to get a Y block firing...

So this weekend is the hopefully when I get the motor running again after a total rebuild of the Y block and trans in the wife's 55 Tbird (and total front end/interior restoration but that's another story).

Wiring looms are still to be installed so rather than using the ignition switch I am patching 12v directly to the resistor and using a remote starter switch to turn the motor over.

With a test light I have confirmed voltage to the coil, distributor AND points. When I turn the motor I see sparking where the points meet as they open/close.

BUT...no spark at any spark plug, none.

Can anyone spot anything in the above that sounds like I have missed something or suggest a next step?

It seemed so simple...12v to the resistor and turn the motor with the remote starter.

 

Replace condenser with known good one. New ones today are junk. Make sure uninsulated grounding wire in distributor is present and connected, no pinched wires, coil power wire not grounding on body of distributor etc

 

Something is grounding out on distributor body

 

Did you leave the rotor out?

 

You didn't mention pulling the high tension wire off the coil and verifying spark there,

 

Man, if I had a dollar....

 

Yeah, can happen to the BEST of us.

Ben

 

Try bypassing the resistor temporarily. Normally, when the ignition switch is in the starting position, the resistor is shunted so the coil gets full battery voltage while cranking for quicker starting. When the ignition switch is released and returns to the run position, current is then rerouted thru the resistor to drop the voltage to the points and coil to prolong their life. It won't hurt anything to start and run the engine for a short time with full battery voltage to the ignition.

 

1. ground to the engine?
2. power to the coil + side
3. - side of coil to the points.

 

Well, I tried most of the step above but nada.

Ran to the local autoparts place this morning for a new condenser and coil. The coil did it, got a spark now.

Still not starting but it seems sometime in the last 12-14 months the coil died.

The engine does make some half hearted attempts to fire now but not close.

Thanks for the input guys, appreciated.

 

Wex65 is the cam timing correct y blocks time by the links not dot to dot. Seen this happen many times.Jimmie King

 

I've also seen it installed with the engine upside down and the links were on the wrong side.

 

If you didn't mess with the timing chain or move the distributor, pull the plugs as they are probably wet from all the cranking you have been doing trying to start it.

 

Managed to get back out there for a while. Success, timing was just off.

Started great and sounds smooth...

Thanks!