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Hi Tkdb:Sounds as if your coil is weak...do you have a 110V test light to check for open and grounded circuits? If not, call a car parts place and see if they can test if for you. Do you know the checks to make with a test light?Regards,Henry
Where did you install your coil + from? Make sure it's a full 12v source with key on AND during crank. Don't use the resistance wire.
What gauge 12v wire did you use. Some I have seen recommend 14 gauge or larger. If it is 16 gauge, may not be supplying efficient voltage. Just a thought.
So, distributor red to coil positive, distributor orange to coil negative, and distributor black to ground. Is the gray wire connected? Clip your test light to a "verified" good ground (such as the battery negative post) then probe the distributor's black ground wire and crank the engine. If the test light flashes, even dimly, make sure the black wire is making a suitable connection with its terminal and the terminal is solidly connected to a shiny bare ground. Otherwise, run a temporary jumper between the black wire and the battery negative post, then retest. If the test light doesn't flash, substitute a different ignition coil and recheck for starting.BTW, the I+ tap you used on the fuse box is protected by the 10-amp backup lamps fuse.