Having some electrical issues in my 67 gs. 455/th400. Never really had any electrical issues in the past. I put in a blue sea systems fuse panel to add some accessories while still running the stock one. Added a stereo and 4 speakers while doing that. I routed my tach, along with other gauges, and my kick down to the blue sea panel as well after. Was firing and driving without any issues. I noticed initially my turn signals went, replaced the flasher. No change. My tach started to show innacuracies, as well my voltmeter was reading in the 16-17 range. While almost being home, the car quit while going about 55. Would crank without issue, just won't fire. Waited a couple hours for everything to cool, fired up and made it about another mile, then same thing. Replaced ignition module as I had a spare, no change. Tested coil and shows in working condition. Took the top assembly from my spare 455 hei and placed it on this distributor. Same thing, no change. Using a stock 10si Alternator with internal regulator. Was told it could be my regulator. Whats the advice from the pros here?
First diagnose the problem. Check for spark and fuel. If you have no spark, first check the power lead to the HEI distributor. Should be 12 volts with the key on.
Thanks for the reply Larry! I have fuel squirting into the carb, and when I key on I'm getting 12 v to the power lead.
If you changed the module, the other likely problem is the pick up coil. Sometimes moving the leads around a few times is enough to get it to fire. The leads flex with the vacuum advance and they can develop an intermittent open condition. We had a thread on this a week or so ago. http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/mid-80s-hei-help.336575/ Of course you want to check the simple things also. Verify that the distributor is turning.
Tried once to wiggle the wires on the coil but no luck. I did however realize my ground from neg terminal to fender was broken. As well as firewall to block was missing. Replaced those and the gauges appear to be working. Tach light cam on as well at voltmeter is reading in the 12-13 range. Verified that the distributor is rotating as well. Should I try just running the whole distributor from my spare 455 motor? Been years as far as I know since it has ran.
