We replaced the guts of the dist. Put everything back the way I found it! I suspect thats not true. I'm not getting fire. I'll probably get laughed at but I think I set the points right? Would not setting the points right cause there to be no fire at all? A new cap and wires were also installed. Seem to have power through the coil into the dist but from there I dont know. What's next? Skullz
Did you check for voltage while cranking and and also with the key on? While cranking it should be 12 volts , with the key on about 6.7V. I had a bad ballest resistor on mine that was rusted too bad at the resistor . I went to the local farm and fleet and got one for a dodge truck and wired it up. It was a 1 ohm resistor. While cranking power comes thru the r terminal at the starter and bypasses the resistor for full battery voltage for spark, than once it's running it goes back thru the resistor.
here's the deal! check for power at the positive side of the coil it should be at least 9.6 volts with key on, if your ballast resistor is in order. while cranking the engine voltage should be 12 volts. next put a test light on the negative side of the coil and crank the engine. if the test light does not blink on and off while cranking your points are not opening and closing to colapse the field in the coil to produce spark. to set the points rotate the distributor to the high spot on the distributor so that it is in perfect contact with the rub block on the points. now set the points to spec, usualy .017 to .020. if this is all ok and still no spark make sure the wire from the distributor to the coil is not grounded to the distributor it must be isolated from ground before the points. it is the points job to ground this circuit whin the points are closed. hope this helps
Double checked the Pontiac shop manual says 5-7 volts with key on and points closed. I'll send you the info on how the distributor all goes together to make sure it's put together correctly.
I know it isn't much help now, but get a Pertronix conversion. The conversion was easy to install and the nailhead in my roadster runs better than it ever did with points. It runs so much better that I dropped the coin for a complete conversion for my 55 Buick too, even though it didn't need it. Just food for thought.
did you stab the disty 180 out? (the housing may have been put in at the same point but if the ROTOR points to a different spot (often 180 out of phase) you're goin' NOWHERE, MAN.
i m not sure on older pontiacs clockwise rotation or counter clockwise rotation ive made this mistake once on a cadillac good luck when you align pointer at no 1 set at 19 thousandths on feeler guage if you dont have a feeler guage fold a matchbook cover in half this is about 15 thou then hook up to dwell meter
Good call! Did you remove the plug wires from the cap? Pontiac distributors rotate counter-clockwise. 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Looks like you've already got the troubleshooting tips above for the points. I also suggest Pertronix, its very easy to install and will improve speed and mpg.
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