I have been trying to figure out why my 65 Nova won’t run (I realize this a Chevelle page but Team Nova seems to have very few participants). The car started right up and then died. It is equipped with a G.M. H.E.I.. I changed module, coil, rotor, cap, plug wires, condenser and the pick up coil under the centrifugal advance. Still no spark, I installed distributor in my 70 Chevelle and it started right up so I am sure distributor is okay. Before I did distributor rebuild I checked volts at wire from fuse block to Batt side of distributor, 12.6 V with key in on position, when cranking starter it drops to 9.6 V.
I ran a wire from positive side of battery to Batt side of distributor (it was switched and I checked for continuity with switch on & off with meter) still no spark. Does anyone have any idea what it could be?

I have been trying to figure out why my 65 Nova won’t run (I realize this a Chevelle page but Team Nova seems to have very few participants). The car started right up and then died. It is equipped with a G.M. H.E.I.. I changed module, coil, rotor, cap, plug wires, condenser and the pick up coil under the centrifugal advance. Still no spark, I installed distributor in my 70 Chevelle and it started right up so I am sure distributor is okay. If you installed it in the chevelle and it started ok, the dist should be fine.

Before I did distributor rebuild I checked volts at wire from fuse block to Batt side of distributor, 12.6 V with key in on position, when cranking starter it drops to 9.6 V.
Ckeck the voltage again, this time with the dist in the car and hooked up. Do you get the same readings?


I ran a wire from positive side of battery to Batt side of distributor (it was switched and I checked for continuity with switch on & off with meter) still no spark. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? With this it should spark, unless something fried out. Try it again in the chevelle.

Since you verified the distributor works on the other car, and I know this sounds silly, but make sure it's plugged in properly. I've had the + at the distributor not actually plugged in even though the connector is up there and snug in place. I looked with a mirror and it was between the spade and the plastic side and kinda connecting but not really. Installing a motor in a car, it wouldn't start. I jacked with the car for hours with it not starting, checking for TDC, looking at the carb, etc and finally found out it wasn't connected properly at the dist. Got that resolved and it popped right over. I go with a mirror to confirm almost every time now.