bench testing HEI
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento (Citrus Heights) California
bench testing HEI
What should I do to bench test my aftermarket HEI coil (in cap)?
I suspect that ignition is the cause for my no-start condition on my '73.
I have +12V to the "BAT" terminal and it seems that I'm getting no spark.
Also, is it possible for all the plugs foul beyond operating tolerances at once? Seems to me that they would become unusable one by one...
Anyway, TIA.
I suspect that ignition is the cause for my no-start condition on my '73.
I have +12V to the "BAT" terminal and it seems that I'm getting no spark.
Also, is it possible for all the plugs foul beyond operating tolerances at once? Seems to me that they would become unusable one by one...
Anyway, TIA.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Put the HEI in a vise, (don't clamp it down real tight) Hook 12v to the BAT terminal, and ground the vise. When you turn the gear it'll spark. If it does not, look at the rotor and then the module and pickup coil. If you have a Weller style soldering gun you can test the module and coil with that. Same hookups just wave the soldering gun over it. Be careful- HEI bites-- HARD..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
I was chasing gremlins in my HEI .... replaced leads, plugs, then dizzy cap... followed by coil and the HEI module....
Then I found my alarm module was causing intermitent cutout of the 12V to the dizzy
Then I found my alarm module was causing intermitent cutout of the 12V to the dizzy
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
Put the HEI in a vise, (don't clamp it down real tight) Hook 12v to the BAT terminal, and ground the vise. When you turn the gear it'll spark. If it does not, look at the rotor and then the module and pickup coil. If you have a Weller style soldering gun you can test the module and coil with that. Same hookups just wave the soldering gun over it. Be careful- HEI bites-- HARD..
That is a great test. Is the spark coming from the spark plug towers?
Tommy
Last edited by tommyleea; Mar 7, 2008 at 12:38 PM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Warrensburg MO
If you don't have spark in the previous test, most auto parts stores have a machine that can check your module. It is a good test, and if it is bad it will show up. Check your connections to the module also, there is an inherent problem with them deteriorating, and there is a repair replacement. After that I would think it is probably the pick up coil, and the distributor has to be removed to replace that. Cheers..
Tommy
Tommy
