I need some help!

[sixt9x33rs]

I was tuning up my 69 Convertible and I believe I screwed up. While I had the points out of the car I turned the car over several times just screwing around. I went about my business putting the points in, condensor, new rotor cap, plugs and wires. Thought for sure the car would run like a top. Well when I went to start it and adjust the dwell the car would not fire. I started thinking and I believe when I turned the car over while the points were out the cam now is not where it supposed to be on the points in order for everything to fire property. I get no fire at all just turning over. If I am right how can I get everything set back?

I feel like an idiot

Any help is appreciated.

[Stingr69]

You may have accidentally set the points when it was off the high spot on the point cam. Can you close the gap a bit and get them to make contact? You want to set them to .019" off the highest point on the point cam. You can fine tune it with a meter once you have it running.

If you mistakenly set the gap on a low spot on the cam, the points may never close and you will not get a spark. Have a friend crank the motor while you watch the points with the cap off and coil grounded. You want to see the points make contact if they are close enough to run at all.

-Mark.

[tmodel66]

Just turning it over without points didn't do anything to cause it not to fire. Why were you replacing everything? I mean was it running before and this is just a tune up? If so check all the wires to the distributor and coil. Are they still hooked up?  What are the points set on now with feeler gauge?

[sixt9x33rs]

Car was running rough and the spark plug wires were brittle. I have not set the points I can't get the car to fire. Usually I just put new points in the car fires and I set the dwell. I am g lad to hear that I did not screw something up by turning the motor over with the points out. I will check to make the wires are in the right place and that the points are ok. I have to go out of town until Sunday. So this will drive me crazy until then!

[tmodel66]

You will have to set the points manually before it will start. Feeler gauge and 18 thousandths with points open on top of the cam lobe in the distributor.

[sixt9x33rs]

I guess I have just been lucky in the past not setting the points. I will set then try it. Thanks very much.

[maroman]

Most new points are in the ballpark as far as adjustment right out of the box. You can set the dwell by just turning the engine over, doesn't have to run. BUT you have to have spark at the points to do this. I'm betting you accidently missed hooking up one of the TWO wires or grounded the points. No big deal. Take your time and think slowly.

[sixt9x33rs]

Before I left town this morning I changed out the new points with set I took out. The car runs great now. The "old" points were not in bad condition, but when I get home I and going to put the new set in and do it slowly! I will also set the points prior to starting the car.

Thanks,