No spark - trying to troubleshoot
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iTrader: (10)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 426
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From: Binghamton, NY
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 360cu @ 10.5:1
Transmission: T56 - Pro 5.0
Axle/Gears: 4.10 - Zexel Torsen - Moser Axles
No spark - trying to troubleshoot
Friday night I took my 86 IROC to the local 1/8th mile. Here is a general overview of the engine:
-350 + .060"
-1971 Corvette heads, 1.60/2.02 valves
-Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap
-Mallory Dizzy
-Holley 650 DP
-All of this was new/fresh build 3 months back
At the staging lane at the track, the car suddenly stalled (never has happened before). I was quick to restart it and it idled and revved fine. However, even as I revved it up to about 3k, the engine again suddenly died, no drama, no sputtering, it just cut out. I restarted it, it took some cranking this time, and it died a few seconds later the same way. It wouldn't start again after that. I let it cool down for a few minutes and attempted to restart it, it just cranked and cranked. An hour later, upon attempting to restart, it came to life, I drove it around to try and work any excess fuel out only to have it cut out as I was driving it, again, very abruptly.
People at the track seemed to be leaning towards it being the carb, and truth be told there were a few things wrong with the carb, so I did a rebuild anyway. Still won't fire. I then smartened up and figured I'd check for spark. No spark. Nothing, not even a weak arc on any plugs. So, I threw on a different cap/rotor/coil and tried it. Nothing. Had the ignition module tested and it tested fine. I have another that I'm going to try that I know works. Keep in mind, this Mallory dizzy was all brand new 3 months back. All the wires to the dizzy seem to be in great shape. I'm heading out now to try the other ignition module, but any help is greatly appreciated!
-350 + .060"
-1971 Corvette heads, 1.60/2.02 valves
-Edelbrock RPM Air-Gap
-Mallory Dizzy
-Holley 650 DP
-All of this was new/fresh build 3 months back
At the staging lane at the track, the car suddenly stalled (never has happened before). I was quick to restart it and it idled and revved fine. However, even as I revved it up to about 3k, the engine again suddenly died, no drama, no sputtering, it just cut out. I restarted it, it took some cranking this time, and it died a few seconds later the same way. It wouldn't start again after that. I let it cool down for a few minutes and attempted to restart it, it just cranked and cranked. An hour later, upon attempting to restart, it came to life, I drove it around to try and work any excess fuel out only to have it cut out as I was driving it, again, very abruptly.
People at the track seemed to be leaning towards it being the carb, and truth be told there were a few things wrong with the carb, so I did a rebuild anyway. Still won't fire. I then smartened up and figured I'd check for spark. No spark. Nothing, not even a weak arc on any plugs. So, I threw on a different cap/rotor/coil and tried it. Nothing. Had the ignition module tested and it tested fine. I have another that I'm going to try that I know works. Keep in mind, this Mallory dizzy was all brand new 3 months back. All the wires to the dizzy seem to be in great shape. I'm heading out now to try the other ignition module, but any help is greatly appreciated!
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 2
From: Binghamton, NY
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 360cu @ 10.5:1
Transmission: T56 - Pro 5.0
Axle/Gears: 4.10 - Zexel Torsen - Moser Axles
Re: No spark - trying to troubleshoot
Just installed a different (working) ignition module and it made no difference. However, when I turned the key to the on position after installing the ignition module, the car burped and something thunked. I then tried to start it but it didn't fire. What could this be?
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (10)
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 426
Likes: 2
From: Binghamton, NY
Car: 1986 IROC-Z
Engine: 360cu @ 10.5:1
Transmission: T56 - Pro 5.0
Axle/Gears: 4.10 - Zexel Torsen - Moser Axles
Re: No spark - trying to troubleshoot
Went through and checked for voltage at the positive/negative for the ignition, read 11.6 volts, checked out good. Checked continuity of the lower coil on the dizzy, checked out. Narrowed it down to the last thing: condenser. Replaced that with one from my spare distributor and it fired right up like nothing happened.
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