okay so I recently completed my project (LT4/Vortec/Airgap/Holley 670cfm TBI) and had the car running at one point. It would backfire and pop like crazy, and stalled when I gave it too much gas. Well now the car won't even start.

I noticed today that my #1 cylinder is the only one firing. I'm pretty damn sure the distributor is rotating (it was pointing at a different angle than the #1 cylinder when I pulled the cap off). I've replaced the cap and rotor this week. The coil is an MSD blaster coil which is less than a year old. The wires are MSD Heli-core and I recrimped them to double check it's not them. I am not getting a readout from my timing gun on the #1 wire (last night I was getting a flash on 5/8 wires).

I haven't checked for spark at the plugs yet, but I pulled the #2 plug out and it was wet and covered in fuel. All of the plugs are black from running super rich.

Does anyone have any idea? Would an ignition module do this? I really have no idea what's going on. I just want my car to run so I can get back to school

 

Your inductive pickup timing light will only detect spark energy if there is sufficient energy to trigger the pickup coil. You apparently are attributing the lack of spark energy to a faulty ignition system, which is possible. However, you have also acknowledged that your spark plugs are wet. Spark plug insulators that are soaked with fuel (the porcelain/ceramic IS porous, after all) will shunt the spark energy directly to ground, just as if you had grounded the plug wires. This will lower the spark voltage to the point where an inductive pickup will be useless.

For the diagnosis you are performing, you need a spark checker. While you're at the store getting one, pick up a set of new, dry plugs.

 

could I let the plugs dry off for a few hours?

 

FWIW, is the 'blaster coil' you have the can-type? If so, pick up a new GM coil on your way through the store.
The can types are (according to MSD's spec sheet) not used in HEI ignition without a ballast resistor.

If it were me, I'd get a new coil anyway while I was there - save you a trip later, and rule out one source
of problems.

HTH

 

it's the GM replacement coil, but I think it might be my problem anyway... I took out the plug and let it fire on its own, grounded to the manifold... and it was a pretty weak spark. I'm gonna pick up a coil and a new ignition module I think.