Engine won't start!

[JOHN COOKSON]

Spark, Fuel, Compression

Disconnect the wire at coil-. With the points closed lay an ohm meter on this wire and the distributor breaker plate. S\B zero ohms. Now open the points and test again as before with the ohm meter. S\B an open circuit. Reconnect the wire to coil - and power up the coil. Pull the center lead out of the distributor and hold it close to the engine to ground. Flick the points open and let them snap close to check for spark. Finally attach a spark plug to a wire, hold it close to the engine and check for spark while someone cranks the engine. You now have spark.
Is the choke all the way closed? Are the plugs wet with fuel after no start cranking? How's the compression?
I'd disconnect the alternator for now. It sounds like it is confusing the no start issue.
Have fun!

TRUE GRIT

[joe_db]

I am not getting the reference to the regulator
Sure if it does not work correctly the batteries will go dead eventually, but that does not sound like what is happening. Other than that, why is the regulator involved in this and where is this 6 volt measurement being done?

[pdecker]

Solved: it was the points!!

The marina manager loaned me an old outboard motor repair manual that had some tests you could do to test your coil and points. I determined the coil was good, and the points failed their tests. I bought a new set for $5 and it started right up!!

Thanks everyone for your help. I was ready to buy a new carb or alternator, or worse. I'll be underway in the morning.

Phil
S/V Catmandu
1982 Catalina 27 tall rig

[sastanley]

Ok.cool..thanks for the update.

[Whippet]

test procedure?

I determined the coil was good, and the points failed their tests.

The prior posts to your thread discussed a coil test - and all sounds logical.

But can you please summarize the POINTS test you used. I just want to make sure i got it straight how to isolate points from other no-start causes.