81 Project car wont start
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
81 Project car wont start
Really scratching my head on this one. Bought it cheap non-running, PO claimed it ran last yr but wouldnt start this past spring and he's not mechanical. Had 1yr+ gas in the tank. had to winch onto trailer
So i pump the tank empty (14 gals), fill with 5 gals fresh, got it running for 30 sec to back off the trailer, then dies
So i install new filter -- still wont start
So i pull off the fuel line from the EBrock carb, start cranking but no gas coming out, replace the fuel pump -- still wont start
So i pop an in-line spark checker on plug #1, no spark, replace coil/cap/rotor/ICM -- still no spark/wont start
So i pull the BAT feed to the HEI port and test with key "ON", its getting 12.4V
What am i missing ??
So i pump the tank empty (14 gals), fill with 5 gals fresh, got it running for 30 sec to back off the trailer, then dies
So i install new filter -- still wont start
So i pull off the fuel line from the EBrock carb, start cranking but no gas coming out, replace the fuel pump -- still wont start
So i pop an in-line spark checker on plug #1, no spark, replace coil/cap/rotor/ICM -- still no spark/wont start
So i pull the BAT feed to the HEI port and test with key "ON", its getting 12.4V
What am i missing ??
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 473
How's about the "brush" and spring that fits Under HEI coil and connects the coil's bottom terminal thru the brush to the rotor ?
Is there a brush + spring + rubber gasket in it ? All that fits beneath the HEI coil when coil seated into HEI cap.
if coil cannot connect to rotor, there'll never be spark at cap or wires or plugs or spark checker.
Triggers fail as well.
Also, there's a pickup coil aka trigger in the bottom of HEI dist housing bowl. It has two Very fine gage Fragile wires coming from it that connect to module.
To replace, you MUST remove dist from motor, remove dist gear, and pull entire dist shaft from housing. Only then can you R&R trigger.
Is there a brush + spring + rubber gasket in it ? All that fits beneath the HEI coil when coil seated into HEI cap.
if coil cannot connect to rotor, there'll never be spark at cap or wires or plugs or spark checker.
Triggers fail as well.
Also, there's a pickup coil aka trigger in the bottom of HEI dist housing bowl. It has two Very fine gage Fragile wires coming from it that connect to module.
To replace, you MUST remove dist from motor, remove dist gear, and pull entire dist shaft from housing. Only then can you R&R trigger.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
How's about the "brush" and spring that fits Under HEI coil and connects the coil's bottom terminal thru the brush to the rotor ?
Is there a brush + spring + rubber gasket in it ? All that fits beneath the HEI coil when coil seated into HEI cap.
if coil cannot connect to rotor, there'll never be spark at cap or wires or plugs or spark checker.
Triggers fail as well.
Also, there's a pickup coil aka trigger in the bottom of HEI dist housing bowl. It has two Very fine gage Fragile wires coming from it that connect to module.
To replace, you MUST remove dist from motor, remove dist gear, and pull entire dist shaft from housing. Only then can you R&R trigger.
Is there a brush + spring + rubber gasket in it ? All that fits beneath the HEI coil when coil seated into HEI cap.
if coil cannot connect to rotor, there'll never be spark at cap or wires or plugs or spark checker.
Triggers fail as well.
Also, there's a pickup coil aka trigger in the bottom of HEI dist housing bowl. It has two Very fine gage Fragile wires coming from it that connect to module.
To replace, you MUST remove dist from motor, remove dist gear, and pull entire dist shaft from housing. Only then can you R&R trigger.
Brush, spring, and rubber gasket all new with new coil
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Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,503
Likes: 2,498
I would think the computer is going to throw a code but cannot tell you if it would cause your problem.
Most people replace both components at the same time.
It also will effect the lockup function of the torque converter.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2025
Posts: 1,408
Likes: 473
Trigger aka Pickup Coil
But, how about that pickup coil aka trigger (with the Two fine wires) that takes more work to R&R ??
the trigger is the electronic equivalent to, and direct-descendent of "breaker points"
trigger creates the signal that ICM module Amplifies and then sends to coil.
It all begins with trigger. If/when trigger bad, there's No signal
the trigger is the electronic equivalent to, and direct-descendent of "breaker points"
trigger creates the signal that ICM module Amplifies and then sends to coil.
It all begins with trigger. If/when trigger bad, there's No signal
Last edited by Rebelyell; Nov 7, 2025 at 06:54 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,410
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
UPDATE: After replacing almost all of the distributor, i punted and threw in an entirely new HEI dizzy with vac advance, got the rotor in the exact same spot................................STIL L no spark on the in-line checker !!!!
wont even catch with ether down the primaries.
Really stumped here - any other ideas ??
wont even catch with ether down the primaries.
Really stumped here - any other ideas ??
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,503
Likes: 2,498
UPDATE: After replacing almost all of the distributor, i punted and threw in an entirely new HEI dizzy with vac advance, got the rotor in the exact same spot................................STIL L no spark on the in-line checker !!!!
wont even catch with ether down the primaries.
Really stumped here - any other ideas ??
wont even catch with ether down the primaries.
Really stumped here - any other ideas ??