68 Eldorado - NO FIRE!!!

[Mendoza]

I recently purchased a 68 Eldorado. The previous owner said that it was started regularly but I am finding out that it was not.
I replaced the starter, ignition coil, points and condenser, distributor rotor, spark plugs, battery and the  distributor cap and wires are like new. I have checked all power and voltage getting 12.8 volts to everything and still not getting any spark from the coil to the distributor cap.

Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

Thanks in advance,
C. Esquivel

[Glen]

I hope you saved the old parts because some of the new parts on the market today are junk from China. 

You did not say anything about getting gas to the carburetor, but you did say thee is no spark, so I assume that is where the problem is and you are getting fuel. 

I would check the points gap and check to be sure they are opening and closing as the engine turns over. 

Also check to be sure the condenser is connected correctly.  I’ve had problems getting that wire terminal in the right place. 

[Dave Shepherd]

Basics here, do you have at least 6-7v when cranking at the primary side of the coil?

[cedric esquivel]

Car's been sittings for ten yrs, gas gauge says 1/4 of a tank really didn't want to fire it up w/ the old gas but carburetor needs to be rebuilt. Replaced w/clear fuel filter jst to see if fuel was running through the line I see nothing.thinking bout disconnecting the fuel line @ the pump & putting the line in a 3 gallon gas can. Points are set @ .17, & distributor turns when cranking, also have heard the plus side of the coil runs to a resistor on the firewall , have been unable to locate.

[TJ Hopland]

IF you connect your volt meter between plus and minus of the coil and crank are you seeing the pulses?  It should bounce from very low or no volts to around 10 volts depending on how fast your meter is.    If it stays on look for a shorted condenser or other short in the wire between the points and coil.  If its off look for a broken connection between the points and coil or a broken ground inside the distributor. 

Even if the resistor is out you should still get spark during cranking from a wire hooked to the starter solenoid.  The symptom of a bad resistor (very rare with the wire type) would be its starts to fire but when you release the key from the crank position it quits.

[cedric esquivel]

I'm experiencing the exact example you jst described in your lst paragraph Mr. Hopeland , stl would like to locate resistor housing would you know where to locate?. I will try your suggestion & get back to you probably Wednesday night as I'm in school Monday & Tuesday. Your help is greatly appreciated!