AMC 327 distributor grounding

[Grand_Wag_85]

I have a 327 in my 65 J2000 and the engine lost spark a while back. The truck has been stored for a few years and I’m once again digging into it.

I pulled the points out and installed a Petronix 1181 Ignitor kit and I still have no spark. I’m wondering if the Petronix kit is just not catching a ground? How does the points “plate” get grounded? It’s hard to see with the dizzy in the truck but it looks like there is a small black wire in there.

[Stuka]

Well, before pulling apart the distributer, I would check a few more basic things. But for a quick answer, there is no grounding wire to the distributer housing. There is a red and black wire, and each goes to the distributer.

First, has it ever run with the pertronix module in there? If it hasn't, verify that the pertronix module clearance to the plate above it is correct. If the two touch, or are too far away, it will work.

If it has run before, then check if the coil is getting power, and is the lead from the distrbuter to the coil good?

[Grand_Wag_85]

It hasn’t run with the Petronix. It had points that were used to trigger an MSD6-AL but we shut it off one day and it never fired back up

[Grand_Wag_85]

I should add that it’s a brand new engine with less than 4 miles on the rebuild

[tgreese]

The MSD and coil or coil by itself should make spark if you simply ground and lift the wire to the distributor. The Pertronix is just a big transistor that replaces the mechanical switch of the points. Put the end of the coil wire where the spark can jump and watch it. The obvious safety rules apply - don't shock yourself and don't start a fire. If the downstream part from the distributor is broken, it does not matter how the trigger is made. The MSD module is reliable if wired right, though failure is possible. Coils can go bad instantly - not uncommon - BTDT.

[Grand_Wag_85]

Made some progress and still stumped on a few things.

Put a plug in the coil wire and grounded it. There is a definite spark but unsure if it’s a strong spark.

Pulled a plug and noticed it was fouled, BAD. Put in 8 new plugs.

Changed the coil to an old one that was floating around and I did get a good single backfire on the first crank. After that, nothing still.

Still more or less at square one. Current setup is the Petronix and a coil, no ballast resistor.

Tim-
I’ll have to try that trick!

[Stuka]

I would bring #1 up to TDC and verify the rotor position inside the distributer. At this point it sounds like the timing is way off.

[Jdm1990gw]

Check to see if the MSD box is still good. A few weeks ago I shut off my Jeep and couldn’t get it to fire back up. After checking everything else first I bought a new box and it fired up instantly

[Grand_Wag_85]

Just verified timing, I thought it was going to be off as well. Timing is spot on.

[Grand_Wag_85]

Check to see if the MSD box is still good. A few weeks ago I shut off my Jeep and couldn’t get it to fire back up. After checking everything else first I bought a new box and it fired up instantly

Can you test an MSD box the same way you’d do any other module? As in hooking it to a tester.

[Jdm1990gw]

There’s 2 different ways to test the MSD box. The easiest being pull the coil wire from the distributor and stick a screw driver in it, then lay it an inch from anything grounded. Crank your engine and if you see a spark the box still works. There are helpful “You Tube” videos

[Grand_Wag_85]

Got spark! Gotta dial in the timing but we’re getting there. Thanks!

[Jdm1990gw]

What was the problem