Ignition system woes help needed - Page 2

Hmm I think I may be misunderstanding how to set up my HEI. I thought the ignition coil plugged directly into the distributor and that nothing connected to the distributor, but the vacuum hose?

Hey Rick,
 
The coil in the distributor needs a 12 volt supply. It then converts the 12 volts into a high voltage spark. No 12 volt supply = no spark.
 

Lol! Well -1 for me. I have a 12v supply line that I moved off to the side. Where exactly would I attach it? 

Rick, can you describe the distributor that you bought? On the side of the cap where the connectors plug in doe's it have terminals designated BATT., TACH., +, GND.? Also is it a stock style or are you using an external coil with a high voltage wire (spark-plug type) that runs from the coil to the center of the cap? On the factory distributor the internal control module is wired to the outside of the cap and plugs in at the + and GND. terminals, these are the connections that send the primary voltage to the built-in coil. Next to this connection you should see a terminal marked "BATT", this is where the ignition system gets it's feed from the 12 gauge red wire that clips into it. With the ignition key in the "Start" or "Run" position you should read battery voltage at this wire. If your not getting battery voltage here you won't have any spark, thats why I suggested the test in my prior post.

I never connected a 12v wire to the coil. I thought the wires on the cap and distrib were the only ones. I'll connect the 12v wire and try to start it again. I'm really glad you guys are here. I was >< close to pulling off the valve covers and spark plugs, and redoing the TDC to see if my timing was off.

It should be a 12 gauge red wire with a white or black connector, it will only plug in one way on the cap, it goes in the " BATT " terminal.

I think I'm going to need to go to the parts store and buy a new connector and rebuild my connection. That red wire was rebuilt with a circular connector to slide over the blaster coil. Would you happen to know the name of the connector so I can look up a picture? Or have a picture of it?

She lives!

A little fuel, a little spark, it's amazing how much noise and power we can make. The tough jobs take awhile to figure out, the impossible ones just take a little longer. Did you find the proper connector, if not, JEGS has it, part #555-10550- $6.00. Glad we could help 'git 'ya back on the road.

sure did =) now all I need to do is bleed my brakes. The car sat for a month and a half and now the pedal goes to the floor. I've either got a bad master cyl, leaking caliper or stuff in the lines. Ah well. I've got the stuff and am going to bleed them today =)

My money's on a bad master cylinder.

I got lucky. The master cyl is good. The rear res had no fluid and a lot of air in the system. I've now got full power to the brakes. =) 

Glad that's all it was.  Now the next question is: Where did all of the brake fluid go? 

I'm blaming the gremlins on that one.  =)

That'll work as long as the calipers stay dry.