82 454 cranks but no start. Not firing. Has proper voltage and distributor has all new internals.

[cactus]

Help I'm at my wits end with this thing. The short version is this, 2 years ago did a tune up on it, ran perfect. 6 months ago died on me while on the hiway. No spark so replaced icm, started right up ran perfect again. 2 months ago died again same thing. Checked icm tested good. Pulled coil cap off and coil was melted so replaced that, truck ran good again for 2 days and stranded me again. Replaced entire distributor this time with a good used one, ran good again. Drove it home and a few days later went out and started it up. Shut it off came back out 15 min later and no start. Now I have rebuilt the entire original distributor. New pick up coil too and still no spark. Voltage is correct including cranking voltage. Anyone got any ideas this thing has numbed my brain.

 

[85K304SPD]

Maybe the ignition selector switch on top of the steering column. Corroded or melted plug in connector somewhere along the way. Or it isnt getting power during the cranking cycle, for some reason.

 

[fast 99]

Swap out the cap/coil with a known good part. Coil ground strap installed? Replacement parts today are questionable, ohm out the pickup. If a used GM module is available put it in with dielectric underneath. Better option would be changing the entire dist with known good used.

 

[cactus]

I did swap it out with a known good one once. That's the one I just took out and put in the one I rebuilt. When I took the original one apart to rebuild it the pick up coil basically just fell apart and I thought I found the problem. I put a brand new one on it, checked ohms on everything as I put it all back together and it all shows good.

 

[fast 99]

A HEI dist can be bench tested before installation all they need is power and ground. Rotate shaft, should be able to hear spark jumping. Stay away from plug wire towers, will get shocked. HEI's today are very dependable units.

 

[squaredeal91]

You could totally make a GM taser lol

 

[Ricko1966]

It's been a long time since GM HEI training, but as I recall, they taught us distributor powered up,pickup coil disconnected,inside of cap visible, lock your finger and touch the pickup coil leads on the distributor you should see a lightning storm inside the cap. I would not have the plug wires on it. That was a quick and dirty test of the pickup coil.