Car starting issues are driving me crazy!

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by 68riviera430, Dec 7, 2009.

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  1. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    ok, what do i look for?
     
    68riviera430, Dec 9, 2009
    #61
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member


    You look at the contact points. Remove the rotor if you have to so you can see better. I hope you know what the points look like. Do I need to post a picture even though you have a service manual?
     
    LARRY70GS, Dec 9, 2009
    #62
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Alright, here we go. Inside the pink box. Those are the contact surfaces of the points. They will be touching when closed, and there will be a small gap when they are open.
     

    Attached Files:

    LARRY70GS, Dec 9, 2009
    #63
  4. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    No sir, I went out with my service manual, and they are closed.
    Does this mean that I need a ballast resistor? If so, does that mean that the wire that is going to the coil doesn' t have the built in resistance its supposed to? wonder why
    How does a ballast resistor assist in start up?
     
    68riviera430, Dec 9, 2009
    #64
  5. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    If you are reading 12 volts, it means there is no resistance wire or ballast resistor in line. It doesn't assist in starting. It keeps the points from burning up. You probably need to replace the points now.
     
    LARRY70GS, Dec 9, 2009
    #65
  6. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    Ok, I will, is it possible for it to start with the points messed up? because it did start yesterday.
    Also, I was thinking of taking a video or some pictures of my choke setup to see what is wrong with it
     
    68riviera430, Dec 9, 2009
    #66
  7. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member


    I don't know. Depends on how burned they are. Pictures would be nice. This is how a ballast resistor should be installed.
     

    Attached Files:

    LARRY70GS, Dec 9, 2009
    #67
  8. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    I called the guy from the shop that I had just got it from and explained to him what I found and that I didn't really have time for it considering I had just paid him at the shop and told him that my main concern was having a car that will start everyday.
    He is coming to my house tomorrow to fix everything
    we'll see what happens
     
    68riviera430, Dec 9, 2009
    #68
  9. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    i just tested the spark plugs, seems like it has a pretty weak spark?
     
    68riviera430, Dec 9, 2009
    #69
  10. VinMan

    VinMan Well-Known Member

    what type of shop is he, a general auto shop or an electrical auto shop?

    The reason, in Cambell there's Bill's Auto Electric and he's a wizard. I had some electrical issues a while back I was chasing and he helped.

    I suggest you drive it or tow it to him in Campbell and let him solve it.


    Thx
    Vinman
     
    VinMan, Dec 9, 2009
    #70
  11. 1973buickgsstag

    1973buickgsstag rusty73'V

    Hey Adrian,
    Did that 'guy' from the shop figure out your starting problems?
     
    1973buickgsstag, Dec 11, 2009
    #71
  12. Daves72

    Daves72 I get jokes.

    When you had the Pertronix kit installed, were you using the same coil as you are now?
     
    Daves72, Dec 11, 2009
    #72
  13. Urbanxx

    Urbanxx Well-Known Member

    If this battery is only reading 12 Volts the battery is not charged fully. The battery should be reading somewhere at the very least between 13.6 volts and 14.2 volts.
    Sounds like for one thing the battery will not take a full charge. Put another battery in the car and see if it cranks.
    I have seen several posts on the battery and when I put them all together I am seeing a battery that is bad. Your battery needs to be checked under load.
    So try borrowing a battery to see if it will crank.
    Hope this helps.
    Chas.
     
    Urbanxx, Dec 11, 2009
    #73
  14. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    That might be a typical voltage reading while the engine is running, but automotive lead/acid batteries by themselves run around 2.14v per cell, so testing should show about 12.6v to 12.8v.

    Devon
     
    DaWildcat, Dec 11, 2009
    #74
  15. 68riviera430

    68riviera430 BRRRRAAAAP!

    Yes it is the same coil
     
    68riviera430, Dec 11, 2009
    #75
  16. Daves72

    Daves72 I get jokes.

    Just my opinion... The coil seems to be the constant here.
    Can you go get a cheap coil ($10 maybe?) from the parts store and try that?
    If it works, don't let it run for too long. We don't want to burn up the points since you have no ballast resistor.
     
    Daves72, Dec 11, 2009
    #76
  17. Daves72

    Daves72 I get jokes.

    Any luck on this?
     
    Daves72, Dec 15, 2009
    #77
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