Duraspark distributors - help needed

[fatbutt]

Okay, so this isn't my TVR but its (hopefully) my B&Q/ safeways wagon once I can get it going! I bought a 1981 Jeep CJ 5ltr V8 but the engine doesn't start. It cracks over but I can't seem to get a spark at the plugs. There's a spark at the distributor but when I take a plug out, ground it and turn it over, there's no spark at the plug.

The distributors an old duraspark so it look simple enough. I'm off now to check the supplies are all okay as I've got the cicuit from the 'net but I just wondered if anyone had any tips?!

Note: The jeeps been sitting outside for 6 - 9 months before I bought it.

[GreenV8S]

If you have a spark on the king lead then the failure is in the dizzy cap, rotor arm or plug leads. Check the state of the rotor arm, clean the inside of the dizzy cap and make sure the brush hasn't fallen out of the middle.

[fatbutt]

Thanks. Found that there's only 6 volts across the supply to the coil which can't be helping.

[zzr]

Check the voltage across the coil when the ignition switch is on the start position, it may give a higher voltage in which case it has a resistor in line and may be giving the right voltage in normal running.

[CombeMarshal]

The other obvious thing is to make sure the plug is making contact inside the lead, just do a continuity test if your not 100%!

[fatbutt]

When I checked the coil voltage the key was turned on which is why I was surprised it was as low as 6V.

Re. continuity testing - good idea! I'll try that. Note: I've assumed that the rotor in the dizzy touches the centre contact in the cap but not the points in the cap that lead to the plugs. Is this right? I only ask as I checked the continuity between where the HT lead enters the cap and the output to the plug the rotor was pointing at and got no continuity. Note: its all dry as a bone in there which is a surprise as I thought it should have some grease or something on the pickup points.

[GreenV8S]

fatbutt said:

I've assumed that the rotor in the dizzy touches the centre contact in the cap but not the points in the cap that lead to the plugs. Is this right?

Yes, that's right.