Boy, what fun. Here's the story: Engine has about 1000 mi since a rebuild. Previous owner installed a Pertronix points replacement system and I haven't had any issue untill now. Please note that I keep the battery on charge with a battery tender. Ran the Riv last in Sept 09 and right before I parked it, I noticed that the Gen light was on. That's OK, I thought at the time, plenty of projects to do... I'll add it to the list. This spring, I put a new water pump on and, while I was at it, I re-timed the cam from +6 to +4 advance. When I tried to start the car after re-assembly it sputtered, tried to start and then wouldn't catch at all. At first I thought it was just my bad attempt at an initial distributor rotation, but after awhile, I realized that I was getting no spark from the coil. I purchased and installed a replacement pertronix ignitor and flamethrower coil and the car started immediately on the first try. Car ran for about 20 minutes while I set timing, checked for leaks etc... and I shut it off. 1/2 hour later I started it again to move the car to its regular parking spot in my driveway and as soon as i put in drive it dies. This happened five more times and finally I keep it going by pumping the pedal while it sputters up the driveway. No problem, I tell myself... old gas, my carb is waaaay to rich right now... I'll get that right in the near future. Before I start messing with the carb I figure I'll troubleshoot the gen light issue. No opens at the Bat and 1 and 2 terminals so I figure its a regulator or generator issue. I purchased a remanuf alternator from NAPA and installed it this evening. I cranked it for about 10 seconds and my son starts yelling that it's smoking. I realized that the wiring harness on the manifold is enveloped in smoke and some black plastic covering over one of the wires appears to have melted somewhat. I unhook the cables from the battery and log onto V8Buick.com to start researching electrical issues. Anybody got an idea? I've read a ton of negative pertronix stuff and all sorts of issues with battery cables, resistor wires, ignition switches, etc... I need to start checking all this stuff, but I wonder if any of this sounds familiar to anybody so I can possibly start in an area closest to the problem. Thanks in advance
I know youve probaly already looked at this but is there a chance that when you replaced the alt any of the wires in that area got pinched or somehow got grounded?
