Getting current from coil output but not from distributor wires to plugs

[cvile1617]

Engine always runs without fault. Ran for 3 minutes and shut down. Not fuel issue. NO SPARK. Replaced EI module, new Moyer Coil, new distributor cap, new rotor button. EI has proper gap, test light across coil +/- light turns on and off. Connect spark plug to coil wire and spark at plug. Connect coil to distributor and check spark at plug - NO SPARK. I have jumped coil from battery and I am jumping starter to control at engine. New Coil wire but no impact.

So what am i missing???? Why coil output but nothing from the distributor output to any of the plugs

Checked advance weights and they are very clean, springs seem effective when I take a screw driver and spread the weights they pop right back. No gunk, rust or stuff around the weights. Nothing binding them.

I am at a total loss on what the next step is.

[ndutton]

Good research so far and good reporting.

Did you put the rotor back on after installing the EI?? Sorry, it's a question that has to be asked.

Did you check for spark with all plug wires? I'd like to be sure it's not a single bad wire too.

The next thing I would do is replace the distributor cap and rotor. Bend the little floating tab on the top of the rotor slightly up to insure a good contact with the center post on the underside of the distributor cap and be sure the cap is properly seated on the distributor body.

The distributor is nothing more than a rotating 4 position switch completing the circuit between the center post and each of the plug wire posts in succession.

[Marian Claire]

Did you replace the magnetic ring along with the EI module? If so is it installed properly? Have been reports of the ring being hard to press into place.
??" EI has proper gap"?? What gap?

Dan S/V Marian Claire

[cvile1617]

Thanks for the quick replies

Gap is correct at 30 1000"s Ring is properly seated, no spark on any plug. distributor seated nicely, rotor button pushed up

[ndutton]

OK, you either have failure of four plug wires simultaneously (not likely) or the interface between the distributor cap and rotor is lost.

You report EI is functioning, coil is producing spark, coil wire is delivering spark to the center cap post, spark interrupted somewhere between the center cap post and all 4 plug wires at their extreme end.

Let's go find where.

Can you fashion a spark plug inverted into the dist cap plug wire post and ground the plug body (eliminates the plug wire for the test)? Give a test and look for spark. Yes=plug wire problem, no= cap/rotor problem.

[cvile1617]

great thoughts on isolating further. So I too a spark plug and attached a wire between threads and block. Connected to coil wire and got a spark - confirm that my ground was good. Next inverted plug and dropped in distributor wire port after extending the plug tip nut so as deep in the hole as far as possible- NO SPARK

Thoughts on the next step with rotor and distributor?

[cvile1617]

more information. I originally used one of the spark plug wires to connect the spark plug to the coil high output and got a spark. So secondary proof that plug wire is good

[ndutton]

Continuity test please between the rotor center tab and the rotor perimeter shoe.

[Marian Claire]

And maybe all 5 of the posts on the distributor.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

[cvile1617]

I used a test light. Power to shoe with light from tab to ground and light turned on so - good connection.

Also did the same for one plug port and the coil input on the distributor. Weak light but it did illumninate

[cvile1617]

more background. I have also used the old distributor and rotor as well as the new rotor and distributor all with same outcome - no spark

[ndutton]

Before anything else I'd replace the distributor cap and rotor. They are consumables so it's probably time anyway.

I'd treat her to new plug wires too. Everything else will be new so why not?

edit: old and new distributor, old and new rotor? Do you mean distributor cap? This is new information, something I missed previously? Can you describe the spark when you see it? Hot, fat and bluish or wimpy and yellowish?

[cvile1617]

she has a new set of clothes. New rotor, new cap, new coil wire, new coil, new EI module, existing magnetic ring. I tested the coil with light. I bumped the starter to a position between plugs and light on tester went out, bumped again to light comes on.

Where could a ground drain the distributor?????

[cvile1617]

new cap, new rotor. Not fat and blue when coming from the coil. I would say strong and yellow

edit: I am seeing the spark via the plug not by grounding the coil plug.

[Marian Claire]

So the magnetic ring that you are using now is the same one that was in the distributor when it first stopped running. Correct?
Dan S/V Marian Claire