I have a 72-73? GM HEI Distributor in my 70 El Camino SS 396. I drove home from a cruise night last week (no problems or symptoms noted)... and the following day I went start the Elko and it wouldn't turn over. It is getting gas and the battery is strong.
I read a while ago, that the ignition module's on these distributors go very suddenly without warning.
Is this true?... and what is the fix?
Thanks, Steve G.
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70 El Camino SS 396
51 Chev 3100 PU

Yes they do go out or the silicone between the module and the plate has slowly dissipated from heat but should start when cold.

Take the module to Autozone they can check it for you.

"it wouldn't turn over" means the starter will not crank the engine

The ignition module has nothing to do with that problem

I missed the point. Take the module out of the question.

Geez, this is a tough crowd...I'm trying to say that the starter turned the engine over but it did not "catch". The electronic module, yes, module, that replaces the points in this HEI distributor is the item I'm questioning.
Thanks, Steve G.

Originally posted by sg08807:
Geez, this is a tough crowd...I'm trying to say that the starter turned the engine over but it did not "catch". The electronic module, yes, module, that replaces the points in this HEI distributor is the item I'm questioning.
Thanks, Steve G. Ok that's better smile.gif

If'n you gonna be a mechanic we need to teach you how to talk like one so we know what the hell you're sayin

didn't catch means didn't start ?
or were you fishin ?

j/k Steve

I think every time I had a HEI module to go bad it was always the same;
ran ok until I shut it off, came back later and it wouldn't catch fish

The mother of my twin granddaughters called and said "it won't turn over" so I went down with jumper cables to see why the starter wasn't cranking the engine over and found out it was spinning over great but the fuel pump was bad

(she's not my daughter-in law but that's another story)
:(