Frustrating - No spark from coil to dizzy?, Update: OK we have a runner Options

[jaredmcginness]

Hey guys,

This is endlessly frustrating. I waited to post until i needed to. I will try to give as much info and be as clear as possible, so bear with me.

This SHOULD be simple. Air, Fuel, and Spark.


Completed my engine build. Ready to fire and break in the cam. I got good oil pressure while cranking. All is well there.

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23209-1601947105.6.jpg)

I am breaking the motor in on the ground. Do I have everything necessary?
Going off the old beetle bench run list.
-Positive battery to Starter +
-Negative battery grounded to starter base and trans body
-Direct 12v to Terminal 15 on the coil

I believe - beside fuel and air, thats all I need hooked up for a carbed motor. Coils typically do NOT need a ground, right?


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23209-1602370043.1.jpg)


Last night I tried this and only got spark from cylinder 3. No luck on anything else.
I met up with my buddy @nditiz1 today and he mentioned maybe I had the wrong vaccuum advance/FI distributor.... ding ding ding. (Pn# 172-001)


Gracisouly, he lent me three 009 Distributors to test. One being a pertronix. These are known good out of a running car(s). My two hunks o junk on the right...


(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23209-1602370043.2.jpg)


I have:
-Bosch Blue Coil tested @:
-3.9 resistance
-8600 ohms

Stocker coil tested @:
-4.2 resistance
-7600 ohms.

12 volt and test light check out @ term 15 and term 1

I believe these are good numbers all around.


I ditched the FI dizzys, tried the pertronix - no dice.
I tried a points 009, no dice.

At this point, I have swapped:
4 Dizzy
5 caps
5 rotors
2 coils
3 starters
set of plug wires

Other notes:

New battery.

Rotor lined up with the notch, at TDC #1, pointed at one.
Plug wires, clockwise, 1, 4, 3, 2 (they are a bit wonky lay out, seemed wrong, but match the firing order

This is the plug layout... seem right?

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/i.imgur.com-23209-1602370043.3.jpg)

-Plugs are NGK and gapped

-I cannot seem to get the coil post to spark. I got it last night, but it is fighting me now.
(unplugged from dizzy, held about 1/4" off a ground, and cranked the motor) No spark. But coil numbers are good. Could be benching it wrong. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)

-Tried grounding plugs 3 and 1 on the body, no spark.

Everything seems good until it comes out of the coil?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smash.gif)

[type2man]

Remove the passenger valve cover (the one opposite side of the distributor) and spin the engine until the front three valves (closest to the flywheel) have lash. Now look at where the distributor rotor is pointing and align it with the notch. This will be number one cylinder. Then install the wires clockwise 1-4-3-2. It should start.

[jaredmcginness]

Remove the passenger valve cover (the one opposite side of the distributor)

Quick clarification needed here @type2man


Passenger valve cover is on the SAME side as the distributor.... correct?
Unless my motor installs backwards, the passenger side is the dizzy side.

With the drivers side valve cover off, my drive gear keyway marks are 180* off. I don’t want to get confused and pull my drive gear out, if it was right to begin with.

Thanks!