Here we go! New around here, just picked up a work in progress. I knew I would have questions for you guys. What is the allowable difference in cylinder compression on a 71 LeMans Sport 350? In addition, when my son took the wires off the coil he didn't label them, is the condenser wire the only one on the negative side? Thanx in advance.
Richw7
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You should try picking up a manual at www.amesperf.com or www.performanceyears.com If memory serves me a 20% variation was acceptable but again get the book. The negative side should also have the wire coming from the distributor.
Sorry to be a pset, I'm still waiting on the manual but I have another question. The negative terminal on the old coil just spins so I went to pick up a new one and they need to know if there is external resistor. What do I look for?
BTW, is this the correct manual: GM 1971 Pontiac Chassis Service Manual, (copyright 1970) ?
BTW, is this the correct manual: GM 1971 Pontiac Chassis Service Manual, (copyright 1970) ?
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the + terminal has 2 wires going to it. One is a resistor wire the other is not. While the engine is running the resistor wire is used. When you are starting the engine the non-resistor wire is used. This is standard for any GM vehicle of the 60's and 70's. So it sounds like they are trying to sell you some sort of universal coil and the answer would be no external resistor. The title of the manual sounds correct.
I went to 4 different stores and they all pull up the same coil, one that says "12V - Use with primary resistance Wire or External Resistor". Your last reply left me a little confused - "the + terminal has 2 wires going to it. One is a resistor wire the other is not. While the engine is running the resistor wire is used. When you are starting the engine the non-resistor wire is used ... the answer would be no external resistor ". Is the first one a resistor wire or not? Can I use the coil they tell me is right for my car? I'm really stumped and would like to put some time into the LeMans this weekend. And that would be a pest I'm being not a pset!
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Thank you, I'm off to pick it up!!!
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Still no spark! I changed the plugs, wires, points, condenser & coil. I received the manual in the mail and followed it down the list - 1) Disconnect wire at plug, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 2) Remove coil wire from distributor, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 3) connect test light from neg side of distributor to ground, turn on ignition - test light lights. 4) connect test light from point set lead connection to ground-open points ( this I'm a little confused on, does this mean from the wire on the points to the base of the points set?) test light lights. 5) Test the coil & condenser - they are new. Any suggestions other than buy another coil & condenser? Thanks, Rich!
Still no spark! I changed the plugs, wires, points, condenser & coil. I received the manual in the mail and followed it down the list - 1) Disconnect wire at plug, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 2) Remove coil wire from distributor, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 3) connect test light from neg side of distributor to ground, turn on ignition - test light lights. 4) connect test light from point set lead connection to ground-open points ( this I'm a little confused on, does this mean from the wire on the points to the base of the points set?) test light lights. 5) Test the coil & condenser - they are new. Any suggestions other than buy another coil & condenser? Thanks!
Still no spark! I changed the plugs, wires, points, condenser & coil. I received the manual in the mail and followed it down the list - 1) Disconnect wire at plug, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 2) Remove coil wire from distributor, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 3) connect test light from neg side of distributor to ground, turn on ignition - test light lights. 4) connect test light from point set lead connection to ground-open points (this I'm a little confused on, does this mean from the wire on the points to the base of the points set? 5) Test the coil & condenser - they are new. Any suggestions other than buy another coil & condenser? Thanks!
No Spark '71 LeMans
Still no spark! I changed the plugs, wires, points, condenser & coil. I received the manual in the mail and followed it down the list - 1) Disconnect wire at plug, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 2) Remove coil wire from distributor, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 3) connect test light from neg side of distributor to ground, turn on ignition - test light lights. 4) connect test light from point set lead connection to ground-open points (this I'm a little confused on, does this mean from the wire on the points to the base of the points set? 5) Test the coil & condenser - they are new. Any suggestions other than buy another coil & condenser? Thanks!
Still no spark! I changed the plugs, wires, points, condenser & coil. I received the manual in the mail and followed it down the list - 1) Disconnect wire at plug, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 2) Remove coil wire from distributor, check for spark 1/4" from engine - no spark. 3) connect test light from neg side of distributor to ground, turn on ignition - test light lights. 4) connect test light from point set lead connection to ground-open points (this I'm a little confused on, does this mean from the wire on the points to the base of the points set? 5) Test the coil & condenser - they are new. Any suggestions other than buy another coil & condenser? Thanks!
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