trying to resurrect..no fire.....

[HarryD]

It takes fuel, spark and compression to get an engine to run. If you have spark, then fue lis the next thing. If your car is not starting, do you smell fuel in the exhaust? Are you getting fuel flow to the carbs? Are the float bowls full? While use of ether is not the best, a shot into the carbs may help you to isolate the problem, once you verify you have fuel to the carbs.

[indasevens]

after a few evenings of tyring...going back to basics again..and again...cdi whines...spark from coil when manually separate gap on points...but no spark to plugs....hmmm going to put new wires on this week...basics right???

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by indasevens

after a few evenings of tyring...going back to basics again..and again...cdi whines...spark from coil when manually separate gap on points...but no spark to plugs....hmmm going to put new wires on this week...basics right???

OK. Remember:

2) Verify that the CDI is producing power to make a spark. You can do this with a "telegraph" test. Take the high tension lead off of the center of the distributor and put a spark plug on it. Ground the threaded part. With your plug attached to the center lead, open the distributor, remove the rotor, place your key in the run position, and manually open and close the points. Each time you cycle, you should see a spark from the plug. If you do not, you may have a bad CDI.

This works

3) Verify that the coil gets a signal when you crank. Replace the rotor and distributor cap. Leave the plug on the center high tension lead. Crank the engine. Do you see a spark? If so, you are getting spark to the distributor. If not, your point gap may be off or there is some other problem with the connections.

What happened here?

4) Verify that the spark goes to the spark plug wires. Reattach the center lead to the distributor. Attach you spark plug to one of the leads going to the cylinder spark plugs and ground. Crank engine. If you see a spark you may have a timing problem. If no spark, you have a problem with your rotor or distributor cap or your wires are improperly seated.

Don't do this until #1, 2, and 3 is ok.

[indasevens]

As per your advise from before followed each and every step...got 1, 2, and 3 but no 4.....tried another cap --nothing hmmm going to put new wires on and see if i can locate another cap...thanks again guys

[HarryD]

Look at the cap and rotor and see if something is bent or damaged.

The rotor has a weighted ball and spring that is used as a rev limiter. If this is "stuck" or damaged, it will prevent the high voltage current from the coil to go to the plugs (it is normally closed and at high rpm opens up to prevent an overrev). Use an ohmmeter to see if you have continuity from the center post to the rotor tip.

[indasevens]

Thanks alot....I will go home after work and check those exact things....

[indasevens]

HMMMM so NO continuity between where the button sits to the outer pointer. Makes sense that it wont transfer spark to plug....Looking for rotor for marelli i guess now!!