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No Spark - 9/18/2008 10:32:09 AM

1977Camaro350

Posts: 45
Joined: 3/10/2007
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Tried to start the Camaro today but it didnt have any spark.

I had the plug grounded good.
The pink wire was plugged into the battery terminal on the distributor and the lead coming out of the distributor with 3 wires was hooked up to its spot on the distributor.

Its got a brand new cap, rotor, plugs, wires, battery, battery cables, starter, alternator, and engine compartment wiring harness.

I recently rebuilt the top end of the engine on it. Could I somehow have put the distributor in wrong? Or did I miss something else?

< Message edited by 1977Camaro350 -- 9/18/2008 10:34:14 AM >

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RE: No Spark - 9/18/2008 11:39:27 AM

Camaro 69

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Even if you put the distributor in wrong, you would still be able to get a spark, just not at the right place at the right time. Take your timing light and clip it onto the coil wire, crank the engine and see if you can register a spark there. BTW, using the coil wire for timing will work just the same as using the #1 plug wire. Also, with a meter or test light, make sure you have voltage going into the distributor/coil with the key on. If you can register a spark, check to make sure you dropped the distributor in with the #1 cylinder on the compression stroke. You''ll need to pull the #1 plug, turn the engine over slowly, and you should feel pressutre with your finger over the plug hole as the timing mark approaches TDC.

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RE: No Spark - 9/18/2008 11:53:48 AM

thebandit110

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Joined: 1/29/2007
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thats funny. i had the same issue with my friends 49 chevy pick up truck. although they are different ignition systems entirely. the fundamentals are the same. i checked the coil it was fine. i checked the points and condenser also fine. what it ended up being. were the spark plugs. his carb was running so rich that it actually put so much fuel in the thing that the plugs were covered with carbon and and screwed up. so i changed the plugs BAM the thing fired right up. so if you rebuilt the top half of your engine check your carb adjustments. than check the silly things. connections and other things that may not work. if you havce a continuity tester you can check your wires as well. let us know what it turns out to be. and make sure your grounds are all good as well.

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RE: No Spark - 9/18/2008 12:36:10 PM

1977Camaro350

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Joined: 3/10/2007
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Actually It dosent have a gas tank so I just dribbled a bit of gas down the carb to see if I could get it to fire.

Ill have to borrow a timing light to check for spark so it might be a bit for I get an answer

The ignition switch in the steering column is bad so I just bypassed it with a button and toggle switch connected to the starter until I can replace it. I dont know if that would cause a problem or not.

< Message edited by 1977Camaro350 -- 9/18/2008 12:37:36 PM >

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RE: No Spark - 9/18/2008 2:45:43 PM

Camaro 69

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quote:

ORIGINAL: 1977Camaro350
The ignition switch in the steering column is bad so I just bypassed it with a button and toggle switch connected to the starter until I can replace it. I dont know if that would cause a problem or not.

Well......the ignition switch also powers the distributor/coil. So if all you did was hot-wire juice to the starter, then there''s your problem. You wouldn''t have any power going to the ignition. You need to run another hot jumper wire to the coil.

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RE: No Spark - 9/18/2008 4:26:04 PM

1977Camaro350

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Joined: 3/10/2007
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Camaro 69

quote:

ORIGINAL: 1977Camaro350
The ignition switch in the steering column is bad so I just bypassed it with a button and toggle switch connected to the starter until I can replace it. I dont know if that would cause a problem or not.

You need to run another hot jumper wire to the coil.

How would I do that exactly. Im not to good at wiring so your gonna have to explain the whole thing to me.

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RE: No Spark - 9/18/2008 8:15:57 PM

Gorn

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quote:

The pink wire was plugged into the battery terminal on the distributor and the lead coming out of the distributor with 3 wires was hooked up to its spot on the distributor.

That Battery terminal on the distributor you mentioned needs 12volts going into it. Do you have a volt meter or test light? You can jump it right from the battery. Primary fuction of the ignition switch is to turn on and off the power to the distributor.

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RE: No Spark - 9/19/2008 6:08:58 AM

1977Camaro350

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Joined: 3/10/2007
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I got a volt meter.

Ill give that a try and see what happens

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RE: No Spark - 9/21/2008 3:28:15 PM

1977Camaro350

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Well after 6 years the Camaro''s finally running again. Got the ignition all wired up and the timing set and it sits there and idles real nice. I dont know how Im gonna break in the new cam though cause it dosent have any exhaust pipes on it and the recommended break in procedure is 2500RPM for 30 minutes and I dont think my ears or the neighbors could handle that.

The neighbors next door put a for sale sign in front of their house all of a sudden though.

I have yet to see if it still leaks coolant into the crankcase. Kinda afraid to check the oil and see what it looks like. Ill wait and do that later after my brothers have heard it run.

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Post #: 9