Starting the flathead with Chevy Distributor

farmerdick

farmerdick

Senior Member
On 8/10 I started a post on setting up the distributor, and TDC using a Chevy distributor from Bubba. Well I tried starting it up but have spark to the points but nothing at the plugs or coil. The entire ignition system is new. Any ideas? I turned the motor over and did not see any spark at the points even though I could arc them and get a good spark!!!
 
farmerdick said:
On 8/10 I started a post on setting up the distributor, and TDC using a Chevy distributor from Bubba. Well I tried starting it up but have spark to the points but nothing at the plugs or coil. The entire ignition system is new. Any ideas? I turned the motor over and did not see any spark at the points even though I could arc them and get a good spark!!!
Click to expand...

12v or 6v? What coil is in use? Are you using a resistor in the circuit to coil.
You may not need to use this dependant on coil in use. Can check primary coil resistance to verify this.
Phil NZ
 
I can think of two possibilities of no fire seeing that you have an arc when manually opening the points. (1) Are your points set to where the cam opens them? (2)The rotor is easy to overlook when assembling the distributor.
 
I did have a Pentronix Flame Thrower coil with a 1.5 ohm internal resistor(12v by the way). I changed it out for a standard coil for use with external resistor. I wired it up according to the diagram which one wire from +side of coil to I post on voltage regulator then another wire also going from +side of coil to the resistor but that's where i was not sure where the wire went from the other side of the resistor. It looked like it was going to the switch? I will check to see if the plate is grounded. I would not think Bubba would overlook something as important as not grounding the plate.
 
Dick I would suggest a 12V coil that does not use a resistor such as a Bosch blue or NAPA coil. Much simpler. switch to coil, coil to points.

John
 
Dick, is this for your A V8? If so find the ignition wire from the switch and hook it to + side of coil. - side of coil goes to points.

John
 
Thank you John. Been away this morning. I will check it after lunch. Also a thank you to everyone in helping me, God knows I need a lot of help.
 
I'm not to bright but I've had several of these Bubba Distributors with his resistor less coil. My memory is vague but don't you run the ignition wire to the plus side of the coil and the minus side of the coil to the dist?
 
farmerdick said:
I did have a Pentronix Flame Thrower coil with a 1.5 ohm internal resistor(12v by the way). I changed it out for a standard coil for use with external resistor. I wired it up according to the diagram which one wire from +side of coil to I post on voltage regulator then another wire also going from +side of coil to the resistor but that's where i was not sure where the wire went from the other side of the resistor. It looked like it was going to the switch? I will check to see if the plate is grounded. I would not think Bubba would overlook something as important as not grounding the plate.
Click to expand...

If you are using the normal Chevy converted distributor, it is a straight single wiring setup.

With a 1.5 ohm coil, it is Ignition switch to the ballast resistor to the (+) terminal on the coil (sometimes labeled BAT). Then from the (-) coil terminal to the points/condenser (distributer). This coil terminal is sometimes labeled Dist.

With a 3.0 ohm coil, it is Ignition switch to the (+) terminal on the coil. Then from the (-) coil terminal to the Distributer.

The only thing that would be different is if the starter solenoid has the two terminals on the front, one of which is the ballast resistor by-pass during start up. If it has that there is a little difference in the wiring.
 
It will crank just fine with a modified Chevy distributor as well, once it is installed and wired up correctly. :)
 
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