[Howard H]

I just installed a Crane XR700 optical ignition system in my stock '74 2.0. Also put in a new Crane coil (PS20), ballast resistor, rotor and spark plugs. Now I'm trying to get the system properly timed, and I'm running into problems.

Got the distributor adjusted to the point where the engine is idling nicely. I hooked up my Sears inductive timing light and Sears tach meter, and then the fun started (or should I say continued).

The car's dash tachometer does not rise above 1K, no matter how fast I rev the engine. The Sears tach seems to hover around 400. The timing light doesn't flash at all.

The timing light has the inductive pick-up around the plug wire for #1, the red lead clipped to the "+" battery post and the black lead clipped to the "-" post. Pulled the trigger, and ... nothing! I hooked it up to my wife's Caravan, and it worked like a charm. I re-did the connections numerous times. Moved the pick-up close to the plug,to the opposite end, to other plug wires ... nada.

The Sears tach is connected to the "-" post of the coil and to chassis ground.

The dash tachometer has always been a little flaky. It would work fine until I turned on the headlights (hadn't had a chance to get into that yet)but otherwise gave me no problems.

Does anyone have any ideas regarding either issue? I would sure appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks, guys>

Howard