Ready for Blastoff ...oh, wait... MSD issue
 

OK, my years-long 73.5 (CIS) project pulled from cardboard boxes and a rolling tub is ready for engine ignition. First time since 1990 this 2.4 CIS stock engine has ran. I opted to install an MSD 6A ignition instead of seeing if the old system ran fine. Now I'm paying for it.

No spark.

I'm getting fuel for sure, but my timing light shows no spark from Cyl #1 wire. I can hear the MSD box working (I think) during cranking the engine. I can think of one thing- does the MSD box need to be wired to my Tach? The original wire from the distributor is still wired to the Tach along with the MSD wire that attaches there.

Before I decide to simply use the old system (good thing I didn't butcher any original wiring) and re-gap the plugs back to stock is there anything else I'm missing before removing the MSD?

There are ways to test if the MSD is working. I assume you have the white wire connected to points?
http://www.msdignition.com/page.aspx?id=3206
Tap the white wire to ground, you should get a spark at the coil.

Next step is to pull the dizzy, connect all wires, pull sparkplug 1 and connect wire to it, then manually spin dizzy. Should get spark each turn, consistently.

I don't think you need the tach connected.

Basic trouble shooting, first check for 12 volts constant @ the red wire...usually this comes from the starter solenoid.

Next make sure you have a good ground.

Switched 12 volt @ trigger wire working?

Does your MSD have an led that tells you that that it is getting power?

Are you getting points signal from distributor? Test with dwell meter.

Is the coil good?

Do this if you haven't done it already.

MSD Ignition

FOUND IT! and...

Ignition WE HAVE BLASTOFFF!!!!!!

And it runs like a champ--- some smoke from the exhaust but we'll see if the rings set during the next 50 or 100 miles before I get worried.

It turns out my Orange MSD wire (of course the very last wire in my checklist) was disconnected from my splice. This car hasn't run since 1990 and now it ALIVE

I'm jumping up and down in my driveway.

well, not so fast ... I think I now have a fuel issue. The car stalled when I was backing out to take a little spin around my circular driveway. It will not start, perhaps coughing and trying to start. I opened a fuel line and put it into a bottle. Key on and lifted the CIS air flap all the way. From the looks of it not enough fuel is getting to the injectors. It was pumping fine before as I used this method to clean out the old fuel distributor with new fuel, about 1.5 gallons worth. There is about 3 gallons of fresh fuel still in the car. (gas tank was cleaned and rebuilt in my restoration). I think however this old fuel distributor is gunked up. Tomorrow I'll break out my CIS fuel pressure kit to diagnose.

But the car ran great for about 5 minutes in my garage. No missing, revved fast, engine sounded strong.