To see if you have any spark at all, disconnect the high-voltage lead between the coil and the distributor. (Pull the distributor end out of the distributor) and lay it near (Not actually touching) ground. Turn ignition to "Start" and when engine turns over you should see spark between the end of the wire and ground. The spark should be able to jump about a quarter of an inch.

I believe there are both six volt and twelve volt versions of the device - and yes they would probably be different part numbers. I think there may also be a variant for the positive ground system as well. Use of the correct parts would be advised.

Pertronix must read about what we do around here - as I've noticed they have been  offering a "power relay" kit so you can use it to feed the controller and coil a significant number of AMPs. That keeps the heavy loads out of the dash and allows modern ignition power levels. It would also make it possible to avoid all of the drama in trying to make the system crank and run off the old dash switch.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Steve! Is there a diferent Petronix for 6 and 12 volt? If there is I dont think MG changed his when he converted.Is it possible it burned out when 12 volts was applied?

  

I'll stick this diagram here so it isn't a pain to keep looking back.....

The Pertronix modules require a constant (switched) source of 12 volts - regardless of whether you are in start or run - in order for the chip to operate the trigger circuits. Dead when the ignition is turned off.

As you can see, using a ballast resistor complicates your choice of where to get this operating power. You cannot use the low side of the ballast resistor for a power source.

Mark's advice about the grounding is an important issue - over the years I have seen a couple of outfits where the moving "point plate" of the distributor interrupted the ground for the Pertronix when the vacuum advance system operated. The electronic "brain" hates this very much.It is best to have a dedicated ground wire, right out of the distributor and to the engine block. 

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

Thanks for your help, you're always there for everybody on this forum.

Claim to fame is the car was used as an extra in the movie Diner with Micky Rourke, Steve Gootenburg, Paul Riser and Kevin Bacon.

What ignition system are you using?Pertronix? Original Pertronix 1 or ?You might be best to put the points cond. back in until you get it running.The ballast resistor goes in the line from the ignition switch to + side of coil.You should have 2 wires on the + terminal.One from ignition switchas was original plus one from "Ï"  terminal of the solenoid.The resistor is spliced in to the wire coing to the coil from ignition switch.Theres a topic called "coil wiring" about 7-8 topics back thats has a schematic for wiring the ballast resistor.

  

from the solenoid I have a wire going to the ignition switch, and the s terminal I have going to the + side of the coil, under this set up the starter engaged when the key was turned on, when the wires were reversed on the solenoid is when it cranks the way it's suppose to but it still won't start and I don't have a resistor ballast installed and if I need does it wire in line on the - side of the coil?

Claim to fame is the car was used as an extra in the movie Diner with Micky Rourke, Steve Gootenburg, Paul Riser and Kevin Bacon.

Did you run a wire from the "other" terminal on the solenoid to the + side of the coil as I mentioned in my earlier post?That supplies current to the coil when you are cranking the motor which you seem to have sraightened out.The fact that it was cranking when the ignition switch was  turned to the "run" position before when the wires were reversed on the solenoid makes me think you have a hot wire from the ignition switch going to the solenoid which should not be there.Current to the coil is supplied from the "I" terminal on the solenoid when cranking the motor IF you have the bypass wire to the coil from the solenoid.There should NOT be current from the ignition switch to that terminal at all for any reason.Try Ricks suggestion to narrow down your search for the problem.The only change in the wiring for the ignition system when switching from 6 to 12 is change the solenoid to the 2 small terminal type and run the bypass wire from the solenoid to the coil for starting and ad a ballast resistor in the circiut from the ignition switch to the coil for power to the coil once the car starts.The ballst resistor is not required on Pertronix 2 or 3 when the correctly rated coil is used.Pertronix 1(the original) requires a resistor as far as I know.

  

Run a lead from the battery to the positive of the coil. Crank the engine it should start. If this works you have some issues either with the solenoid or ignition switch. If it doesn't start it is the coil or the distributor. If you have a Pertronix fitted they are either working or they are not.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

okay, one problem solved. reversing the Wires on the solenoid fixed the starter turning when the key is turned on, now it still won't start and doesn't act like it's firing so does anyone know how to check the coil to make sure it's putting out voltage "I DID A OHMS TEST BY THE BOOK AND IT CHECKED OUT, I ALSO CHECKED OUT MY 6VOLT COIL AND IT HAD THE SAME OHM READING" ,



Also how to test the petronix unit to see if it's working.

Claim to fame is the car was used as an extra in the movie Diner with Micky Rourke, Steve Gootenburg, Paul Riser and Kevin Bacon.