Trojan Boat Forum

I installed the new Pertronix and the engine try`s to start, turns over acts like its going to start but will not. I put some gas in the carb, still nothing. I am not sure what is going on. Any ideals?

Timing ?

Dwell? Spark timing of the Pertronix? Hit it with a big big wrench.

Want to borrow my tool?

I said big.

If so, could be what I did when I changed my intake manifold gasket.

The distributor was not oriented correctly (it was off 180 degrees). It would turn over fine and sound like it wanted to catch but wouldn't start.

The rotor needs to be pointing towards the #1 cylinder. Use the "engine disturbed" procedure in the manual.


Bob

Man, I love tis site. Where else are you gonna get free expert advice like BOB's.

BobCT wrote:If so, could be what I did when I changed my intake manifold gasket.

The distributor was not oriented correctly (it was off 180 degrees). It would turn over fine and sound like it wanted to catch but wouldn't start.

The rotor needs to be pointing towards the #1 cylinder. Use the "engine disturbed" procedure in the manual.


Bob

I checked that today it was in the correct spot. Pointing to the number 1 cylinder. I am going to to it to the local marine this week let them have a hand in it. I mean Ive rebuilt engines, I am very good with my hands, This thing has me baffled.

If your getting spark. are you sure its on #1 on the compression stroke ?

If your not getting spark then we need to check other things

prowlersfish wrote:If your getting spark. are you sure its on #1 on the compression stroke ?

If your not getting spark then we need to check other things

You know what I am not sure at this point. Maybe that is why I need someone else to look at. If I remember corectly when the number 1 piston was at the top the rotor was pointing to the number one wire on the cap. Not the number one piston. Is that a problem?

This is how its wired.

Should be at the #1 wire on the cap . with # 1 piston at the top on the compression stroke . if its just at the top you have a 50/50 chance

also, make sure there is no external resistor.

Some Ford products utilized a RESISTOR WIRE that as I recall lowered the voltage to about 9 volts at the coil.

Don't know if this was carried over to the marinized versions or not.

Do you have a nice fat blue spark?

Don't find out with that gas you squirted in the carb.

RWS

RWS wrote:also, make sure there is no external resistor.

Some Ford products utilized a RESISTOR WIRE that as I recall lowered the voltage to about 9 volts at the coil.

Don't know if this was carried over to the marinized versions or not.

Do you have a nice fat blue spark?

Don't find out with that gas you squirted in the carb.

RWS

I did notice that the coil was very hot. I thought that may of been from cranking it over and over.

Is the coil hooked up right? +bat -dist

Basics, basics, basics...

First, is there a nice blue spark from coil? If so, check for spark at plugs.
Retrace what you did be sure wiring is correct for your set-up.
If no spark, perhaps you've got a wire where it shouldn't be. Power with key "on" to positive side of coil, negative per your new distributor schematic and coil.

Number one piston will be at the top twice during a four stroke cycle, compression stroke and exhaust stroke. It can only run on the compression stroke, (both intake and exhaust valves closed)- on the exhaust stroke, exhaust valve will be open. Hence, 180 degrees out of time...

Of course, this is assuming you have good fuel and compression. And everything else is working properly.