| HEI Distributor Cap Loose Post [message #147545] |
Sun, 23 October 2011 17:48  |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
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Installed a tach today and all went well till I got to the distributor cap attachment. The tach spade connector installed OK, albiet a bit hard to push on the distributor post. I noticed the battery connector was as wiggley as a 6 year old's front tooth........ I clipped off the existing female spade connector and replaced it with a new one - it came off very easily as if it was about to fall off. This connector too was hard to push into place but I got it "home". Now the battery post (spade) swings around like the aformentioned tooth - and the engine will not start. So, is that post repairable by removing and inverting the distributor cap, or does all this mean I am in need of a new cap?
The engine has been starting beautifully, one kick to the floor and release of the gas peddle and she starts very quickly, even when cold.
Thanks for any guidance...........
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
'77 Palm Beach 455
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Distributor Cap Loose Post [message #147611 is a reply to message #147564] |
Sun, 23 October 2011 21:23  |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
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Thanks Jim.
Just found a youtube video on the "corrected" HEI cap from ACCEL, shows an available pig tail that plugs into the BAT/TACH ports and puts the wires out in the open where you can actually see your connectors. I've got to check that out at Autozone tomorrow.............
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
'77 PB 455 (lookin for a spark..)
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Distributor Cap Loose Post [message #147680 is a reply to message #147611] |
Mon, 24 October 2011 14:41 |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
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Got both the tach wire and the battery wire hooked up in fine shape but now the engine won't start - pulled a plug wire and spun the engine got no spark. I pulled the dust cover off the distributor cap and checked battery hot with ground at the center wire between BAT and TACH. Also I have ground at all four screws holding the coil in place and I have ground at the J-hooks that secure the battery cap.
When I first finished the tach install, the engine did start, ran ragged for a few seconds and died. The tach needle was jumping during those few seconds.
Now I have no spark.
Hot wire and light wire for the tach are joined and connected to an ignition hot post in the glove box fuse panel; ground wire is tied into the ground wire on the CB radio.
Any suggestions?
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
'77 PB 455
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Distributor Cap Loose Post [message #147686 is a reply to message #147680] |
Mon, 24 October 2011 16:12 |
rvanwin
Messages: 325
Registered: April 2007
Location: Battlefield, MO
Karma: 6
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| SThornbg wrote on Mon, 24 October 2011 14:41 |
Got both the tach wire and the battery wire hooked up in fine shape but now the engine won't start - pulled a plug wire and spun the engine got no spark. I pulled the dust cover off the distributor cap and checked battery hot with ground at the center wire between BAT and TACH. Also I have ground at all four screws holding the coil in place and I have ground at the J-hooks that secure the battery cap.
When I first finished the tach install, the engine did start, ran ragged for a few seconds and died. The tach needle was jumping during those few seconds.
Now I have no spark.
Hot wire and light wire for the tach are joined and connected to an ignition hot post in the glove box fuse panel; ground wire is tied into the ground wire on the CB radio.
Any suggestions?
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I would disconnect the tach signal wire from the distributor and see if it will start. If the tach signal wire is grounded somewhere it will prevent a startup. Some put a wire on the tach lug and run it through a hidden switch then to ground. When you throw the switch you have a "poor man's" security feature.
Randy & Margie
'77 Eleganza II '403'
Battlefield, MO
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| Re: [GMCnet] HEI Distributor Cap Loose Post [message #147716 is a reply to message #147686] |
Mon, 24 October 2011 19:07 |
SThornbg
Messages: 127
Registered: September 2011
Karma: 0
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Thanks Randy -
I just tried removing the tach signal wire and it makes no difference - still no fire. I guess it's time to start checking individual components.
Got a lot of rust on the straps between the coil hold-down screws and looks like a lot of rust down in the well were the coil lives (rusty plastic??)
I do have good juice at the switch wire/coil connector, but haven't gone any further yet.
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
'77 PB 455 (sparkless)
Steve Thornburg
South Bend, IN
77 exPB 455 "Tinker Toy"
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| Re: HEI Distributor Cap Loose Post [message #147728 is a reply to message #147545] |
Mon, 24 October 2011 20:21 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Take the coil screws off the top. You may have pushed the terminals up into the cover somehow. They drop in with the wires connected permenantly to them. Or they could be bent to the side.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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