351w is not starting. Help. Here is what I have tried.

[nymathboy]

I noticed that it had a hard time starting as of late and recently it will not fire up. Here is what I know.

-84 351w
-MSD 6AL ignition box
-Duraspark dizzy.
-Accel coil (Put in a new one and didn't help)
-Motorcraft plugs (Put in new ones didn't help)
-650 edlebrock carb
-the engine turns over so I know it is not the starter or the battery

I held plug wire going from the coil to the center of the Dizzy with a pair of insulated pliers and got a heck of a shock so I know there are electrons flowing there.

I took a plug out and connected it to the wire and laid it on the intake. I turned the car over. Now I have old eyes but I swear that I did NOT see any blue spark. So this leads me to believe that the problem is in the dizzy.

The dizzy has a new cap.

I looked in the carb and it sprays plenty of fuel.



What do you guys think????

Is it the timing? Do I need a new Dizzy? Is the MSD box firing at the wrong time?

HELP

[tcrist]

If you are getting spark from your coil wire to the cap but nothing from the cap then I would suspect the rotor.

[nymathboy]

There is a plastic part inside the Dizzy that rotates around. I know that it is turning around. Could I hook up the clip of a test light to the metal tab on the plastic part that turns around and touch the other end to a ground to see if I am getting current?

[blykins]

Posted too late, you already answered my question.

[nymathboy]

I will see what I can do and will be back Wednesday. Thanks guys.

[tcrist]

It could be the module inside the dizzy or the rotor (the plastic thing that spins around). I have known of at least 3 rotors that have gone bad. But when they go out it usually happens all at once. Unless the plastic that is holding the "tab" is broke and letting it rotate/move on the top of the rotor a little bit and then it went all at once. The tab is supposed to be secure.

[PeteF]

Check the distributor hold down clamp to make sure it has not loosened and allowed the distributor to rotate. This happened on my 351W and threw the timing off. Some of the aftermarket clamps are chrome plated aluminum, and do not stay as tight as the OEM steel clamps. Good luck

[nymathboy]

Thanks. I will try those suggestions.

[mreid]

Laying a spark plug on the intake does not typically provide sufficient ground to the plug. Put a ground clip on the plug and try it again. Check the inside of the distributor cap and make sure it is not corroded (typical MSD problem).

[Tim Brewer]

1st pull the cap off and while having someone turn the car over, make sure the rotor turns around and you havn't sheared the pins off the shaft. Then install a new rotor and cap.

[Rwillia4]

Have you looked in the cap and seen the center terminal. Can you push it in and it springs back. Did the new and old rotor and cap look similar? Is the rotor the same height as the old one?

[rdc767]

What Tim Brewer said. Had this happen with a cheap distributor. Broke the pin that holds the gear to the shaft.
Good luck
Ron

[nymathboy]

MSD box crapped out. $230 down the drain.

[DAVID GAGNARD]

Originally Posted by nymathboy

MSD box crapped out. $230 down the drain.

It happens,but,check your voltage going into the MSD box...they do not like anything more than 14/15 volts....Some years ago, my one wire alternator went on the fritz and the car started missing badly, I looked down at the voltmeter and it was pegged on 21volts, fried the MSD box in about 5 seconds, luckily, I could see my house and coasted home..........

You can also call MSD and send it to them for repairs,sometimes it's an inexpensive part/fix,sometimes not....worth a try though.....

David

[nymathboy]

Brought it to a mechanic.

-He replaced the MSD box
-He found some wires rubbing against the clutch. My fault since I wired it.

He says that he can get the car running but he also says that he is having problems b/c he said that he doesn't want another MSD box to die.


I wired it up according to the painless directions with the exception of the engine bay which I wired up this way (I hope this uploaded pic works).

[patrickt]

Have him wire in the MSD 8830 Capacitor -- it helps to protect the box from fluctuations, especially when jump starting.