Perhaps this is more of an electrical question, but here goes. I have a 454 with a HEI distributor. When I turn the key, it wants to, will fire when key is in "start" position. When I release the key to the "run position" there is not spark, it is dead, all firing stops!

Sounds like there is NO 12 volt power to the HEI when the key is in the run position

got a test light?

I have a test meter but - not an expert with the wiring.

You can check it with a meter very easily

Did you install the HEI?
You could just run a 12 gauge wire from the IGN terminal on the fuse block to the BAT terminal on the HEI and see if that fixes it.

That sounds like the ignition switch to me. The contacts in the switch that keep the car running with the switch in the run position are probably burnt.

That sounds like the ignition switch to me. The contacts in the switch that keep the car running with the switch in the run position are probably burnt.

That would do it

I do have the wire from the fuse block to the HEI. The HEI was in when I bought it.

Check for a blown fuse or bad connection from fuse ends to fuse clips.

The possible burnt ignition contacts... Is this a readilly available part at a parts store? Whats the the best way to fix/ install these?

I suppose it could also be the fuse - need to check that as well.

What year?

You could try temporarily moving that wire from the IGN terminal to the ACC terminal also.
just as test.

The contacts are in the ignition switch. Just change the switch and this should fix you up.

The ACC terminal in the fuse box? What would be the benefit of that?

I woud find out if the ignition switch is bad first
no sense changing good parts.

The ACC terminal in the fuse box? What would be the benefit of that?
It would test THAT wire's connections
But see if you have voltage at the IGN terminal with the key in the run position.

its a 67'

how do you remove the ignition switch?

Not real easy to do on a 67 but I wouldn't remove it unless it's necessary

testing the ignition terminal... put your test probe in the fuse portion of the ignition slot on the fuse box or in the dist slot?

Do the fuse box first but check AT the fuse clips and the fuse ends
sometimes the fuse isn't making a good connection to the clips.

On a 67, I've heard of a couple of people that had low voltage feeding into the ignition switch also.

so if there is power at both the fuse location and the dist location it is a bad swtich? or if its a bad switch there will be no power at the dist?

With a bad ignition switch there would be no power at the fuse block IGN terminal.

With a blown fuse or bad fuse connection there will be no power to the wire going to the HEI's BAT terminal but there would be power on one side of the fuse.

Thanks!!!

there's no fuse in the IGN circuit. It's direct battery feed from the ignition switch. It's a single male spade in the middle of the fuse box but it's not fused. Drathaar, I don't see anywhere in this thread where you say what the voltage is at the IGN terminal with the key on. Until you verify that terminal is hot with key on you don't want to be pulling the ignition switch.

What was the last thing you did on the car before it started having trouble? Install anything electrical?

there's no fuse in the IGN circuit. It's direct battery feed from the ignition switch. It's a single male spade in the middle of the fuse box but it's not fused.
All 4 spades on the fuse box are fused. The IGN terminal spade is protected by the backup/gauges fuse on a 67. (10a) The original feed to the coil on a points dist is not fused, it is only protected by the fusible link.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/67chevelle_fuse_box.jpg

Perhaps this is more of an electrical question, but here goes. I have a 454 with a HEI distributor. When I turn the key, it wants to, will fire when key is in "start" position. When I release the key to the "run position" there is not spark, it is dead, all firing stops! Explain how the HEI is wired. Is there a wire coming from the starter to the HEI?
First, as a test, run a wire from the battery to the HEI bat terminal. Use a inline fuse close to the battery. (Be certain the car is in park)This bypasses all wiring and safety devices. If the car starts and runs normally (you will have to pull the wire or the fuse to stop the engine)then you have a wiring problem, if not then you have 'another" issue.

Is the hei running through the old balast resistor from the point dist if it is the ign. will work in start mode and die in the run mode if the resistor has failed. Just a thought.

Is the hei running through the old balast resistor from the point dist if it is the ign. will work in start mode and die in the run mode if the resistor has failed. Just a thought.

I do have the wire from the fuse block to the HEI. The HEI was in when I bought it.

Sounds like the old resister wire is no longer used.

The ACC terminal in the fuse box? What would be the benefit of that?

The ACC terminal is "switched", meaning its hot when the ignition key is in the "run" position.

Do this. Get a long jumper wire and connect the HEI ignition terminal on your distributor directly to the battery. Attempt to start the car. If it starts your HEI is good. Then you look at the ignition switch and associated wiring to see why its not powering the HEI unit.

If it doesn't start AND you have NO spark then you have an HEI/Ignition problem.

If it doesn't start and you have spark then its not ignition.