No spark!!!

I'm puzzled guys. The other day I was running my Packard and it started/ran perfectly fine. But then after I shut it off, it hasn't been able to fire back up since. I did a spark test and there was no spark, so I checked the points. I had just set the timing a day ago. I set the distributor to 0 degrees and the dwell at 32. When I checked the points tonight tho, dwell was only reading around 9 or so and absolutely wont go any higher no matter how I move the points. I have no idea what coulda caused this to happen...

Any thoughts? Any help is very appreciated. thanks guys.

 

Fuse?

 

Did you leave the key on? Pull the points, make sure the spring isn't cooked, and hasn't lost its "springiness". Make sure the point contact area is clean and shiny. Got spark at the plugs?...the points? No?...then moisture inside the cap, bad connections, coil-wire, coil, or condensor. Or...no electricity to the coil. If you're getting any dwell-reading at all though, sounds like you're getting some juice.

 

Distributor-shaft stable, and not "wiggley"? That can throw off the points.

 

They key wasn't left on. shaft is stable. I literally just shut the engine off and then tried to restart it. Points still look brand new, I replaced them a month ago. Still springy, shiny. No spark at the plug, and at least no visible spark at the points. But like you said, since its reading some dwell, there must be power going to it. Im starting to think maybe it could be bad wires going to the points? like its slowing down the electricity, so to speak?

 

If you have one for the coil.... Maybe the coil it's self? are you getting spark to the dizzy?

 

No fuses. All electronics go thru the voltage regulator. There in power to the coil, but no spark at the points.

 

something in the dizzy if it's cranking and not firing

 

Coil getting hot? You might have the wiring going from the distributor to the coil touching ground in the distributor which will cause a no spark situation.

 

I'd say the coil is failing to saturate---try a different one.

 

If the dwell is really only 9 degrees, check the rubbing block on the points for premature wear. Also check the distributor cam lobes. With the cap off and the points gap set correctly, usually about .015/.016", you should be able to see the points open and close as the engine is cranked. Dwell angle is an expression of how many degrees of distributor shaft rotation occur while the points are making contact (closed). That determines the strength of the magnetic field that builds in the coil and therefore the strength of the spark produced when the points open and the magnetic field collapses. Insufficient field strength equals an inadequate spark. So, the points have to be opening and closing a specified amount of distance (gap) and time (dwell).

You need to take a systematic approach to troubleshooting. In addition to the above, with a voltmeter (preferably), or a test light, make sure you have current to the coil + post. Check the wire from the coil - post to the points for continuity (ohm meter), make sure the distributor point mounting plate ground wire is intact.

If everything checks out, you should be able to turn on the ignition, dist cap off, pull the coil wire from the cap end and hold next to a good ground surface, with the distributor points closed, open the points with a small screw driver by pushing against the rubbing block, not the points metal arm, and you should get a spark from the coil wire. If you don't, you've missed something.

Ray