Is this the right way to test the ballast resistor

[dodj]

I'm using a Rev-N-Nator.

I'm not familiar with it. As far as wiring it is the same as stock? Or is it a rewire like the msd?

[chargerdon]

then the resistor can lower that voltage to even lower.   

The resistor is bypassed during start, at least it is supposed to be wired that way. Limits coil voltage once it's running.

There are two different electrical paths...   During start the resistor for the coil is bypassed to give a hotter spark for starting....However, trace the path and you will see that during "start" the voltage to the ECU gets passed thru the other side of the resistor thus lowering its voltage...with the voltage already dropping to near 9 due to the starter drawing massive power that can then drop the voltage to the ECU.  If it drops below 6 volt it wont recognize the reluctor and will not trigger the fire of the coil.   

That is why the connections for the "start" cycle thru the flat connector at steering wheel and thru bulkhead have to be clean !!   It can be a problem...   

[blown motor]

I'm using a Rev-N-Nator.

I'm not familiar with it. As far as wiring it is the same as stock? Or is it a rewire like the msd?

I looks just like the original ECU but has a built in rev limiter. It's plug and play.

[Bullitt-]

I'm using a Rev-N-Nator.

I'm not familiar with it. As far as wiring it is the same as stock? Or is it a rewire like the msd?

I looks just like the original ECU but has a built in rev limiter. It's plug and play.

Rev-N-Nator is a 4-pin ECU so the ballast would not effect it but I imagine if voltage is to low that would cause an issue. 
I'd want a known good ECU on hand to test with. 

[Rich G.]

My friend was chasing an intermittent no spark for a long time. Wound up being the pickup in the distributor. When he had no spark I just unplugged his distributor and plugged in a spare I had and spun it in my hand and he has spark. Easiest way to check if the problem was in the distributor.

[blown motor]

I popped off the distributor cap and the reluctor wheel and the pickup had very fine rust on them for some reason. This was annoying because I have indoor storage heated in the winter so I would have thought that with a mostly constant temperature and humidity that wouldn't have been an issue. Anyways I cleaned them with some sand paper. One reluctor fin had a very small chip out of it. Can I change just the reluctor wheel and pickup and where do I get those?

[Bullitt-]

Can I change just the reluctor wheel and pickup and where do I get those?

Indeed you can, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJTT5koyDOQ

parts should be widely available

https://www.manciniracing.com/picoandleas.html

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=47580&cc=1078703&pt=7184&jsn=615&_nck=Ekt6BqBF1pwlXdx0gYlm1eLc36x7RagAV9qWoBGYzks2kIIGcMG6lGcjeM2THnK59HMLqf6sMYe5uooVvjbsBeTLj9fDuDIp7WTk3XTinZD%2FKtjnqsyMkDrDajPk%2FGvHmUljbQyes5OkZvml05EByphNLg6FpgURIk9NiY%2FO7UK2VZ3%2BwpDSxPb7C34KOUS4Vw7J4nH1qKV3BGFjMMawvEiaeZb%2BA755DE7itiqgeZSlK5sCq9yGmG5aNR3IMQgAEMIZoN4G%2BZ46gDGWEqe1bG9A9VcdaAjXgiB7a5QNp8eLTO9RMXs0YBfdRjdoe3Q0aN1nAzmuN9grjl3OYijMBka4hkfjRRxhGl1pxnbCELc%2BbmCxKybRaA%3D%3D

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=49656&cc=1078703&pt=7176&jsn=620&_nck=Ekt6BqBF1pwlXdx0gYlm1eLc36x7RagAV9qWoBGYzks2kIIGcMG6lGcjeM2THnK59HMLqf6sMYe5uooVvjbsBeTLj9fDuDIp7WTk3XTinZD%2FKtjnqsyMkDrDajPk%2FGvHmUljbQyes5OkZvml05EByphNLg6FpgURIk9NiY%2FO7UK2VZ3%2BwpDSxPb7C34KOUS4Vw7J4nH1qKV3BGFjMMawvEiaeZb%2BA755DE7itiqgeZSlK5sCq9yGmG5aNR3IMQgAEMIZoN4G%2BZ46gDGWEqe1bG9A9VcdaAjXgiB7a5QNp8eLTO9RMXs0YBfdRjdoe3Q0aN1nAzmuN9grjl3OYijMBka4hkfjRRxhGl1pxnbCELc%2BbmCxKybRaA%3D%3D

[blown motor]

Thanks Wade. I had found the video but haven't watched it yet. Parts will get ordered in the morning. 

[dodj]

that can then drop the voltage to the ECU.  If it drops below 6 volt it wont recognize the reluctor and will not trigger the fire of the coil.   

That is why the connections for the "start" cycle thru the flat connector at steering wheel and thru bulkhead have to be clean !!   It can be a problem...   

Ah. OK. I was just thinking of the coil. 

[dodj]

Thanks Wade. I had found the video but haven't watched it yet. Parts will get ordered in the morning. 

Setting the gap is very important. It's .008" if I remember right? Been a long time....years.... I should check mine.

[blown motor]

Thanks Wade. I had found the video but haven't watched it yet. Parts will get ordered in the morning. 

Setting the gap is very important. It's .008" if I remember right? Been a long time....years.... I should check mine.

Yes it's .008.

[Jay Bee]

Murray, the guy on the video used a digital caliper to measure paper at .008. I'd go get these brass feeler gauges from Princess Auto. Looks like the second one from the right could be .008.
https://www.princessauto.com/en/6-blade-brass-feeler-gauge/product/PA0009238130

[blown motor]

Thanks JayBee, I already have feeler gauges, similar to those only a much bigger set.

[blown motor]

Reluctor and pickup are ordered for pickup tomorrow. I got them through Napa, $10 more than Rock Auto for the two pieces but no shipping and I'm dealing with people, not a website.

[dodj]

I hope this doesn't sound rude or anything Murray, but have you done any testing yet as far as troubleshooting the issue? To determine ecu, coil, dizzy, resistor issue? Or just order the reluctor/pickup kinda hoping that's the problem?