A simple cap/rotor swap has gone craphouse on me. The car will not start, just cranks and cranks.

Timing is hunky dory, I have checked the rotors position at TDC. My leads are on correctly. I think I am getting no spark, as I'm not even getting a sputtering. (quick way to check this?) The connections to the distributor look fine.

The old cap and rotor were so bad, I can't believe the car even started! With a new set, it won't go! WASSUP!?!?!

I am assuming the ignition coil inside the cap has crapped out on me, and will maybe cough up some bucks on a new one. Can these things wear out coincidentally with me playing around with it, shaking it or what not? Plugs are new too BTW.

Any other suggestions? If it doesn't start tomorrow with a new coil I am going to smash it with a hammer. to pieces.

The car is an '80 T/A with the lackluster Poncho 301 ci.

I am extremely frustrated that something so basic is preventing me from ripping around in the sun with the t-tops off. grrr.

Thanks,
Hype.

 

did you leave the harness unplugged going to the cap?

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ICON Motorsports

1st & 3rd
MM Black Diamond 538 F&AM

 

just an idea. you may want to check how you put the coil wire (the little carbon and spring part under the coil). if that isn't in there right, it isn't going to start. that is usually the most common situation with a no start after an hei cap and rotor change.

 

Do you have 12 volts at the distributor? I think it is somethings simple like they said. Do you get spark at the plugs?

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi, manly b&m megashifter

 

Come to think of it, the coil wire could be a problem I haven't double-checked...

The bottom of the ignition coil was a little rusty, where the spring meets the metal groove, so I sanded it a little to provide better contact... also, the spring I received with the cap was bent a little crazy... perhaps this is an issue. Can you even buy these seperately..?!? =P

I will double check that spring tomorrow as well. thanx.

Later,
Hype.

 

check your pickup coil it made have died as well, mine just did it confused me to hell but got it fixed and running like a champ now and it runs better too