just bought a 69 SS chevelle to restore.
the primary coil wire reads 18 volts,but the coil is not firing.
is this a secondary wire prob' or a bad coil,or ignition? (396 orignal SS)
Thanks!

------------------

if you hook up a timing light does it flash when the engine is cranking? what type of ignition hei ?? what because i had alot of problesm with my hei

none of the eight plugs,or coil wire,are firing.
no HEI

------------------

Could be that the points are out of adjustment or need to be replaced, or the cap and rotor button need to be replaced.

------------------
Nathan Brandt
The more cubes the better!!!
70 SS 396 4spd under restoration
71 SS 454 clone 8.8 1/8 on pump gas and 8" slicks
60' 1.949 & 77 MPH
Team Chevelle # 1143
ACES # 5391
My 71 SS 454 clone (http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/nate71.jpg)

With the cap off, make sure the distributor is turning. I don't what your skill level is, but a couple of years ago, a co-worker bought a car that did not fire. It turned out to be a broken timing chain. It wouldn't fire because the distributor was not turning. He thought it was just going to be simple tune up problem that ended being a semi-major engine repair.

Check to see if it has points or electronic iginition, and let's proceed from there.

If it has points be sure that you also check the condenser. If it is bad it grounds the voltage from the primary side of the coil. Then the points open and close but no current collapse occurs across the secondary side of the coil. No current collapse = no secondary voltage. Secondary voltage = spark

[This message has been edited by charbilly2001 (edited 10-02-2002).]

Thanks guys i'll try your sugestions.

------------------

do yourself a favor and get an hei for about 100 bucks

Turns out it was the points
They looked good, but just didnt fire.
I bought some high RPM Blue Streak points.
I installed & set them, & it fired right up!

I would love to have HEI, but i want to try & keep this car original. i may reconsider if i have more problems.
***Thanks***

------------------

Just for future consideration, there are ways to convert to electronic ignition without having to change the distributor. You can either install a Pertronix ignitor in place of the points, or opt for a small body HEI which uses HEI components housed in a stock looking points distributor. There's more info available here:
http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/

[This message has been edited by Randy Mosier (edited 10-04-2002).]

Cool info Randy,Thanks
"this thing runs good"

------------------