Advice needed on Ignition Problem?
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Advice needed on Ignition Problem?
Hey everybody. Here's my problem, about 6 months ago, I bought and had installed a new HEI distributer with mech. tach drive from Mid America into my '69, 350, 300hp. Everything seemed to work fine for a few months...then one day it wouldn't start. Fuel was reaching the carb fine, voltage was making it into the distributer, but no spark out of the plugs. Replaced the ignition module and she started right up. About 2 days later, it died again while warming up. Once again, I'm not getting any spark. I replaced the ignition module again but this time it didn't fix the problem. I'm getting about 11 volts on the wire leading into the distributer when cranking the engine. Distributer cap looks fine and about to replace the "in the cap coil". The day before it quitfor the second time, I did adjust the timing. Thanks everyone-
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Are you putting the dielectric grease under the module?
It acts like a heat sink like on a computer cpu.
You should have a minimum of 12 volts running, so perhaps check your wiring connections and block ground.
It acts like a heat sink like on a computer cpu.
You should have a minimum of 12 volts running, so perhaps check your wiring connections and block ground.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks. I did put the grease on under the module. There have been times while cranking it that the voltage has been below 12...sometimes as low as mid 9's. Could the battery possibly have anything to do with it?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Originally Posted by Twitch
Thanks. I did put the grease on under the module. There have been times while cranking it that the voltage has been below 12...sometimes as low as mid 9's. Could the battery possibly have anything to do with it?
Stop by a parts place that load tests batteries for free.
Redo your connections starting at the battery and clean grounds etc.
Hei should have 12v all the time.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
When you installed the HEI, did you run a new 12V power wire from the ignition switch to the distributor? If you are using the original coil wire to power the HEI, the wire will eventually fail. To convert older points style cars to HEI you need to run a 10ga wire from the pink wire at the ignition switch to the + terminal on the distributor.
An HEI will still operate at 9 volts.
This company has a kit with wire and connectors for just over $20. http://www.madelectrical.com/
An HEI will still operate at 9 volts.
This company has a kit with wire and connectors for just over $20. http://www.madelectrical.com/
Last edited by crazywelder; Sep 30, 2006 at 12:43 AM.
