I am at a loss all. I have a 1955 Chevy 3100 with a 1978/79 305 Camaro engine. I have had it a few years now (6) and it started out starting well, then it became hard to start after a year or so and now no start at all. My brother-in-law and I have ascertained that it is not getting spark. We checked with a light power is coming from the ignition and ballast resistor side to the canister coil, but when we checked the coil to distributor there is no power and we get no spark at the spark plugs. Tested the coil with a multi meter and the numbers were low so thinking the coil was bad, got a new coil and same problem. Returned new coil put old back on. I have changed the points and condenser. I am open to any suggestions you may have. Thank you in advance for your assistance.

 

What did you set the points at? Check the condition of the wire from the distributor to the coil. By the way, that is a nice looking truck!

 

Thank you oldchevy, Everything I read online read points gapped at between .16-.19. I set them at .17. The wire from coil to distr appears to be in great shape.

 

-key on, engine off
-with a test light on the positive side of the ign coil...it should have power at all times


-if it does move the test light to the negative side of the coil and crank the engine over. the test light should flash. if it does not flash the points are not grding the negative side of the coil...the problem will be anywhere from the negative side of the coil, points or open coil.

 

Thank you tech2. I tried your suggestion and yes, power on positive side, no power at all on negative side. The coil and points are new and points are gapped to .17.

 

the positive side is now ruled out. the problem is either the coil any where from the negative terminal of the coil to the points, wiring, points, condenser. something is not grding the coil.

 

I appreciate you and oldchevy taking the time to assist. Everything is new except the wire from the coil to the distributor. oldchevy suggested checking the wire and I assumed that since the insulation looked good that the wire is good. As the old saying goes, "looks can be deceiving". I have extra wire so I will change that and get back to you guys. May be a few days but I will respond when tested. Again, thanks guys.

 

The coil is new, points are new and I changed the wire running from the negative of coil to the points and still no power. I found that one of the spark plug wires is burned on top and bottom where connects to spark plug. The heat from the header must have burned it. It did not go through but could that be a problem? Thanks in advance all.

 

not imo, but if you see a bad part, change it. You would have one cylinder misfire not no spark to all cylinders.

 

YOU NEED TO check continuity from the wire going from the coil to the points, if it dosent ring out the wire has NOT connection