I am running a chev HEI distributor in my Ford 302, which is in my 1980 Dodge D-50. Yeah frankin truck I know anyway my problems seem to have started when I switched to a single wire GM alternator (Yes the frankin truck gets worse) I don't know if they are related but I seem to remember reading a constant alternator charge will take out the pick up coil. I replaced the module and pickup coil at the same time. The truck ran fine for about a month and now I am getting no spark. I have no yet checked it out but I have a strong suspision my pick up coil has again gone out. I ran this distributor in my 67Mustang with no problems at all for years. ARG this is frustrating!!!

 

Take the coil wire loose from the distributor, hold it close to engine ground, have helper crank the engine, if you see a spark jump and there is no spark at the plugs, then it is the cap or rotor causing the problem. If there is no spark, you might check the coil wire thencheck for primary voltage at the coil, with the key turned on. The B+ and negative side both should be hot, I'm talking about the primary wires. If the B+ side is hot and the negative side isn't, your coil is faulty. If you have B+ at the primary circuits, have a helper crank the vehicle, there should be a pulse on the negative side, some systems there will be a pulse on both primary circuits. If there is a pulse, the module and pick-up coil are ok.