Four months ago I installed a new rebuilt SBC in my 75 Nova. Among the add ons is a new MSD # 8365 distributor. I also installed from head light to tail light a new Ron Francis Express wiring harness. From the first time I cranked the motor it has started instantly and ran great. For three months I have been just driving around the neighborhood working out the bugs. There is maybe 1 hour running time on the motor and components.

In February I had to have some surgery so I parked the Nova next to the garage behind a locked gate so no one has touched it...About two weeks ago I went out to start it and move it back into the garage so I could get busy with the car once more. I cranked and cranked the motor but no spark...Here is what I have done so far in trouble shooting the situation...

Ground from battery to frame to block to distributor is good.
Hot wire from ignition to the BATT terminal on distributor has good voltage.
I was told the coil was bad so I put in a new one...
I was told the module was bad so I put in a new one...
I installed a new fresh set of plugs...
I have had the battery on a trickle charger and it is up to the max.
I have replaced the cap and rotor...
I have pulled a plug and grounded to the block and there is no spark.
Yes the distributor is turning with the motor...
Yes the motor is getting fuel...
I spoke with MSD last week and they suggested I send it back to them for testing so I have done that...

Now here is the question of the day. If that distributor returns and they tell me it is in good shape, where do I turn next? :confused:

If there are any gremlin busters out there I would love to hear your input...:hurray:

Thanks
Larry at PapasNova

I don't know if this is "legal" but it might remove the ignition circuit in your car's wiring harness as a possible culprit in the problem....

Couldn't you run a wire directly from the battery to the 12V input on the distributor so that the distributor is ALWAYS hot and ready to fire.

The ignition switch inside the car hooked up this way will only spin the starter. If it fires hooked up this way, then it would seem that there's a problem under the dash with your ignition switch or wiring.

The only downside here is that you'll need to pull that wire running from the battery to the dist to kill the motor when your test is complete.

Good idea :thumbsup:

If you you hook up a interupter toggle switch inline when you do your test you could flip it off after the test . I also think there is a wiring problem in the dash. Maybe a wire unhooked supplying power to the coil when the ignition is in the on position?This sounds like a tough one.

If you you hook up a interupter toggle switch inline when you do your test you could flip it off after the test . I also think there is a wiring problem in the dash. Maybe a wire unhooked supplying power to the coil when the ignition is in the on position?This sounds like a tough one.

I have checked the voltage at the distributor BATT terminal wire and there is ample voltage with the switch in the on position and also in the start position...

Papas Nova