On Sun, 18 Oct 1998, Coday Family wrote:
> Anyway, I can't get any spark to the points so far. I have 13 volts
> at the switch side of the coil, very low volts (3-4) at the
> distributor side of the coil. I don't have any manuals, just try to
> sort out all the details as I go along, so I am stuck right now. I
> switched out the points and the condensor, no change.
I think that if the points are closed (as they often are) then you will
get a voltage reading like this.
To test the coil windings, unhook the wire that goes into the distributor
and then check voltage as above. Should be the same.
Another thing to do is to take a well-insulated screwdriver and noodle
with the points with the ignition on (and dizzy cap off). If you see
sparks then most likely everything is trying to work.
For more fun and excitiment you can pull a spark plug (or all of 'em to
make cranking easier) and turn the engine over. As you have starter
problems this may not be the most fun & exciting thing to do.
> the reasons the 3 went back in the garage. I welcome basic
> directions on tracing Mr. Electron from the switch side of the coil
> to wherever he is disappearing.
Mr. Electron goes thru the coil, then the distributor low tension lead to
a spade lug, then thru a cotton-covered copper braid wire (nice &
flexible, and frays easily) to the distributor plate. Check to see that
this wire has not frayed, and isn't touching anything.
There is a similare cotton-copper wire that serves as a ground strap (I
think). It would be worthwhile to check this wire too.
I think the low-tension circuit is shorting (grounding) somewhere. You
may also want to check your points gap- ensure that they are gapped to the
proper opening at the APEX of the cam lobe (on the distributor)- if you
have them open at the wrong spot, then they will always be open.
Good luck,
-Malcolm
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