My 360 V8 runs very well when I have a "gap" at the coil wire. It will not
start when the coil wire is fully inserted, it runs great with about the
coil wire pull out about 1/2" (the spark jumps about 1/2").
The gap can be at either the distributor cap or the coil.
Yes, I have replaced the Controller, wires, plugs, dist cap, rotor, pick
up coil, ballast resisitor, etc.
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
TBone - 18 Aug 2005 01:28 GMT
Is that a "lean burn" system.

Signature
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
> My 360 V8 runs very well when I have a "gap" at the coil wire. It will not
> start when the coil wire is fully inserted, it runs great with about the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Mark Sparge - 18 Aug 2005 14:10 GMT
> My 360 V8 runs very well when I have a "gap" at the coil wire. It will not
> start when the coil wire is fully inserted, it runs great with about the
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Any thoughts will be appreciated.
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This IS a strange one! Does this engine use a condenser in the
ignition system? I remember spending DAYS troubleshooting an old
Datsun that had just had a tune-up but wouldn't start/run. Turns out
that the brand new condenser was shorted.
Let us know what you finally find.
Mark
thoughtgym1 - 18 Aug 2005 17:11 GMT
No, it has a single pick up coil and a ballast resistor which have both
been replaces
nirodac - 18 Aug 2005 18:08 GMT
Sounds like you have to much high voltage.
Did you replace the coil with a higher voltage version?
Did you replace the wires with a lower voltage version?
Can you put the old wires and or coil back on (one at a time) and try that.
If you use the wrong wires (high voltage cables) or too high a voltage from
the coil, you could be creating an arc, (short to ground) before the voltage
gets to the plugs.
When you unplug the wire slightly, you are actually creating two arc's, one
at the unplug location and one at the SP.
The voltage is thus reduced going to the plugs, because part of it is used
up at the unplugged location..
> No, it has a single pick up coil and a ballast resistor which have both
> been replaces
thoughtgym1 - 19 Aug 2005 16:33 GMT
Replaced coil, wires, dist cap, rotor, plugs with the same type as removed.
When I found the problem (or symptom) I changed everything again, with no
change.
The truck ran fine for many years and degraded to this condition during a
weekend. This leads me to believe some component went to hell.
Think I have too much voltage or too little.
Gray
TBone - 19 Aug 2005 16:56 GMT
It sounds like you have a bad power connection. Although someone said that
the second gap was lowering the voltage, what it is actually doing is
increasing the resistance on the secondary side which lowers the current
flow on the primary side. Your bad connection is causing a voltage drop on
the primary side that increases with current and with the coil wire properly
connected, is dropping the voltage to low for the controller to function
properly. Your best bet would be to replace the power and ground
connections to the controller and see what happens.

Signature
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
> Replaced coil, wires, dist cap, rotor, plugs with the same type as removed.
> When I found the problem (or symptom) I changed everything again, with no
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Gray
thoughtgym1 - 19 Aug 2005 18:53 GMT
Thanks, TBone.
I'll try the changes & report
Gray