Spark Problem-i'm Am Clueless!

Yesterday My 53 Chevy Left Me Stranded. I Don't Have Any Spark At The Plugs. My Coil Tested Bad, So I Got A New One. Still No Fire. How Do I Work My Way Back Through The System To Find Out Where My Problem Is? Any Help Would Be Appreciated. What Tests Can I Do To Find My Weak Spot?

 

i'm definitely no ignition expert, but I went through 2 or 3 good coils, points, rotor, cap, plugs wires-everything before an old school mechanic plainly said, "condensor dumb***".
that 3 dollar part was a good investment.

 

Do you have power to the coil? What kind of ignition are you using?

Kurt

 

Split the job up so:
Disconnect both small coil wires. Connect the swtch terminal direct to battery (make up wires with two little alligator clisps), connect a wire to other, hold big wire 1/4" from engine and repeatedly ground that second wire to an engine bolt and then move it away from bolt--if coil itself will fire, you should see and perhaps feel a spark each time. (coil could still be bad when hot)
Now hook up the switch wire to switch again, repeat the test above but with electricity supplied from switch and that jumper to bat removed...if spark, coil is getting electricity.

If coil and switch work, next hook up the wire (little wire) that goes to distributor; remove distributor cap and big wires, set aside.
Mark distributor base at engine so you can go back to correct timing. Loosen clamp that holds distributor, rotate distributor body to a place where you can see points open and close as you move it back and forth. Turn on the juice, hold the fat coil wire near engine again, and see if you get spark each time distrib rotates. That's a start at finding location of trouble...fingers hurt...

 

Check to make sure the screw that grounds the breaker plate to the side of the distributer hasn't fallen out. Goes thru the side of the body just below the cap.

Drove a buddy of mine nuts for about a week before I showed him what was up.


jerry

 

Thanks To Everyone. I Am Back Up And Running. Better Than Ever.

Mike

 

Well, what fixed it???

 

I FEEL A LITTLE DUMB HERE FELLAS. THE WIRE THAT GOES FROM THE NEGATIVE ON THE COIL TO THE DISTRIBUTOR LOOKED A LITTLE SHAKY SO I MADE UP A NEW ONE, PUT IT IN AND THE MOTHER STARTED RIGHT UP BETTER THAN EVER.