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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: jmacintosh on April 16, 2006, 12:38:00 pm

Title: No spark...had it running
Post by: jmacintosh on April 16, 2006, 12:38:00 pm

Put a new distributor, cap, coil, wires, and plugs.

Never moved the crank after I had the distributor out.

Started up first try. Took it for a test drive, and it pinged like mad when I hit the gas. Drove a total of 2 miles, and got it back home. Put the timing light on it, and I couldn't find the mark anywhere. After another 10 minutes it stalled. Turn the key and it was laboring to turn over.

Let it cool down overnight...Next morning, I take the whole thing apart again...TDC, distributor back in, re-check the wires. Turn the key...seems like there is no spark. Which I find very irritating since it ran the night before.

Did I burn something up while I had it running last night?

Title: Re: No spark...had it running
Post by: 123 pugsy on April 16, 2006, 01:35:00 pm

You were doing fine last night.The only problem was the timing was too far advanced.Try taking the distributor out and turning it back(counterclockwise) 1 or 2 teeth. Your timing is probably off enough that it won't start.

Title: Re: No spark...had it running
Post by: jmacintosh on April 16, 2006, 08:01:00 pm

Should it matter where the rotor is as long as I start with cylinder 1 at TDC, and the cap lined up with a point for the #1 cylinder?

I did move a tooth over with the distributor this morning because I wanted to have more room to be able to adjust.

Title: Firing order
Post by: VileZambonie on April 16, 2006, 08:48:00 pm

Well it really doesn't matter but the firing order is as such...


But are you saying you have no spark now?

Title: Re: Firing order
Post by: jmacintosh on April 16, 2006, 09:04:00 pm

yeah...turns over but doesn't fire

Title: Re: Firing order
Post by: 123 pugsy on April 17, 2006, 05:29:00 am

Did you actually check for spark? Stick a screwdriver into a spark plug wire ,hold it close to ground and check for spark as someone turns it over.

Title: Re: Firing order
Post by: jmacintosh on April 17, 2006, 08:39:00 am

I sent it to the doctor...bunch of other stuff needed to get done anyway that I haven't had time for..

Title: Re: Firing order
Post by: jmacintosh on April 18, 2006, 09:19:00 pm

The verdict has come in...

Bad module on the brand new Accel distributor. They put the module from my 15+ year old distributor in the new one and it started right up. Apparently the module died after 20 minutes of use.

That will be the last time I ever purchase an Accel part. I'll ride a bicycle before I have to buy another one of their parts.

My next ove will be to fire off an email to Accel, and voice my displeasure.

Title: Re: Firing order
Post by: toplessblazer on April 18, 2006, 11:27:00 pm

I don't think it is accels fault for the module going bad. I have had these burn out and went to the parts store and got bad ones from the parts store as well.  

Title: Re: Firing order
Post by: jmacintosh on April 19, 2006, 10:56:00 am

This was new out of the box, all from Accel (distributor, rotor, cap, and coil) and it died in twenty minutes. There is no excuse for that. It wasn't until after the fact that I have read of similar problems form other posters here regarding Accel.

When you blow money on matched parts from the same company, and they fail, you lose confidence in the company you bought it from.

Accel and Mallory are under the same company too. Makes you wonder if the Mallory stuff is any good either.