01-09-2019, 05:07 PM
The coil earths through the points in the distributor. If you fit an earth lead to that side of the coil, the car will never run!
1. Are you negative earth? coils don't like being run the wrong way round.
2. With the ignition on, flick the points in the distributor and make sure you have a small blue spark across the points. Connect the main HT lead to the coil and hold it about 1/2 inch from the cylinder head. Flick the points and a fat blue spark should jump from the HT lead to the head.
3. If all is well, check the distributor cap for cracks and to make sure the carbon brush in the top is free (it should be able to push it in and it should then spring out again) Check the rotor arm for cracks and ensure that the brass contact is clean.
4. I presume the engine is timed correctly. To check, remove all the spark plugs except No1. Turn the engine over with the handle until compression is felt. . remove No1 spark plug and turn the engine a bit further with a screwdriver down the plug hole so that you can feel when the piston comes to TDC. Get the piston to TDC and set the distributor so that the points are just opening (the distributor goes clockwise) Fit the rotor arm and note which plug lead contact it points to in the distributor cap. That will be No1 Refit the plug leads to the cap in the order 1342 clockwise.
If all that is in order, it should start and run.
1. Are you negative earth? coils don't like being run the wrong way round.
2. With the ignition on, flick the points in the distributor and make sure you have a small blue spark across the points. Connect the main HT lead to the coil and hold it about 1/2 inch from the cylinder head. Flick the points and a fat blue spark should jump from the HT lead to the head.
3. If all is well, check the distributor cap for cracks and to make sure the carbon brush in the top is free (it should be able to push it in and it should then spring out again) Check the rotor arm for cracks and ensure that the brass contact is clean.
4. I presume the engine is timed correctly. To check, remove all the spark plugs except No1. Turn the engine over with the handle until compression is felt. . remove No1 spark plug and turn the engine a bit further with a screwdriver down the plug hole so that you can feel when the piston comes to TDC. Get the piston to TDC and set the distributor so that the points are just opening (the distributor goes clockwise) Fit the rotor arm and note which plug lead contact it points to in the distributor cap. That will be No1 Refit the plug leads to the cap in the order 1342 clockwise.
If all that is in order, it should start and run.