I'm having a spark issue on a wagon I just got. The PO replaced dang near everything with no luck, so I going to go to the bone yard and get an HEI. The Q is do I get a distributer from a Chevy straight 6, or find one off of a Cherokee or Comanche? Thanks in advance!
You'll be looking for a HEI off of a 6 cyl Chevy motor. You'll need to replace the distributor gear, though. I believe you want to replace it with a gear for an AMC v8.
straight 6. 4.3 V6 won't fit. It could also be the stupid horseshoe connector on your coil.
It just got worse, now it won't turn over :banghead:
Did you do the HEI and then it would,tn turn over? Or have you not done it yet?
If you don't have a volt meter, it would be best to buy one and make sure you have power going to the right places. It would be better than throwing parts at it and hope it starts.
Voltmeter can help fix a lot of issues. My whole ignition system toasted itself...I mean the WHOLE thing. Solenoid, stock AMC box (name eludes me), distributor...all died. It would sometimes start, usually not though.
Swapped it for an HEI from Skip White Performance and the problem was solved.
If anyone can remember the problems I had for 4 months over on Evo, they can attest to it. I dumped so much money into useless parts.
It's the best $50 fix AND upgrade I did to that car.
Electrical stuff is my krypton! The OP replaced starter, solenoid, coil, and the ECM I believe it's called,but it is a cun and splice butcher job. I'm gonna do the White HEI just to make it simpler for me. Another Q, is the neutral safety switch on the tranny?
Thanks!
ICM, Ignition Control Module. I believe.
Good point about the NSS -- how is that done with this set up, or is it just grounded?
The neutral safety switch is on the transmission, with a wire leading to the bottom post on the solenoid (this is for an automatic transmission). It shouldn't impact your new distributor.
Duh! What was I thinking. Yes the starter solenoid remains in place. Boy am I getting bad or what?
The engine won't turn over now and I noticed the PO has the bare end of a wire wrapped around a brass post on the bottom of the starter solenoid with the other end bare wire and unplugged, what a butcher job! So if that goes to the NSS, I've got to figure out which wire he had it twisted onto to get the engine to turn over again, right? Or can I just ground that wire to make it easier?
Thanks in advance!
Brant
You can just ground the wire to make things easier. Just don't forget to have it in park or neutral when you go to start it.
After I ground the little brass nub thing on the solenoid, do I need to do anything with other end coming from the switch ( where ever it is)?
No
As pointed out, just ground that back terminal. Yes, it goes to the transmission NSS on the back of the driver's side, just above the pan. 3 pin connector. Center pin is grounded in neutral and park (unless the switch is bad or the plastic "bumper" inside that presses on it is broken) The other 2 wires are for reverse lights. One is switched power going in and the other goes out to the backup lights so it doesn't matter which way the plug is put on.
You ground the wire not the nub.
The rear nub is what gets grounded (by the wire)
Xcellent, thanks all, I'm gonna give it a try with my fingers and toes crossed!
ITS ALIVE!!!! Well, sort of. It runs on straying either in the carb. But hey, thanks all for your fast nonflammable responses!! :hello2:
Brant
Congrats! its just fine tuning from here on out
Good deal. Is it running on tank gas now?