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No spark - trying to troubleshoot

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Old Sep 22, 2009 | 02:04 PM
  #1  
plasmeh's Avatar
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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!
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Old Sep 22, 2009 | 02:59 PM
  #2  
plasmeh's Avatar
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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?
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Old Sep 23, 2009 | 06:55 AM
  #3  
plasmeh's Avatar
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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