78 Electronic ignition unit in a Roadster

[Topdown311]

Hi, I am a noobie to this site...here is my problem.I have no spark..I recently installed an EI module and distributor in a Datsun Roadster. The reason I'm posting here is that since the EI setup from the 78 620 should basically the same unit as what I found being discussed in this forum.

I have wired up the control box from a 78 Datsun 620, it's the remote box with the module plug. I converted the distributor to fit by replacing the shaft. Everything lines up to where my #1 is still in the same place as the old point distributor and the reluctor is lined up with the pickup in the distributor. As far as I know I wired everything correctly, I've installed a couple MSD systems with pertronix so I feel confident on doing this conversion correctly.

Now that everything is installed and wired with ignition on,cranking over I get no spark from the coil wire, I've got battery voltage at the coil + side (Bw wire) and same voltage at the coil - side ( Blue wire). I measure the voltage at the red and green wires and they are .71 and 1.6 volts dc. I also have tried 2 differant 12volt coils and nothing changed.

How do I tell if the distributor is working correctly? Is there a test to find out if the distributor is sending a signal to the remote control box? What about air gap and other settings that maybe my problem.

Any help or guidance whould be much appreciated... Thanks.. Bill Cole

[EScanlon]

Bill are you sure you're getting power to the coil? The resistor, like in the Z, is there to reduce the voltage to the dizzy. If, as in the Z, you connect the wires to it incorrectly, you'll have power in the RUN, but not in the START modes or vice versa.

Not familiar with the engine/dizzy out of the 620, but do know that the Roadster engine does have the dizzy rotating counter-clockwise. That alone would make a huge difference.

I've installed Pertronix in both my Roadsters (67-1.6 and 68-2.0) and both fired right up right after doing so, so can't help you more than that.

Victor Laury here is very knowledgeable about the Roadsters, but there are very few others. You may find more information available through the Roadster Mailing List or at 311s.org.

Here's the link for the forums:

http://www.311s.org/phpBB2/index.php

You'll need to register for the site, but like here, there are a bunch of knowledgeable people there, and they will surely be able to help you more.

HTH

Enrique

[Topdown311]

Hi Enrique, I recognize you from the 311 forum. This is a dizzy that I put together about 15-20 years ago and finally decided to test it out in an R-16. The engine ran 10 minutes before I decide to install my Dizzy setup. I installed a jumper wire at the ballist resistor and installed a 12v volt coil, the coil maybe my problem.

From the control box I hooked the BW wire to the positive side of the coil then the blue wire to the negative side of the coil, grounded the black wire, the green and red go to the dizzy.

I think my problems are either the coil or the dist. pickup unit maybe bad or installed wrong.

Luckily I did not do any wire cutting or moving of the short shaft under the dizzy housing so I can easily drop the old parts right back in if I can't figure this out.

In my 68spl /U20/5 speed car I have a MSD 6al box, Blaster II coil, Pertronix unit in the Distributor and the 8.5 MSD wires. Got to burn all that S/U fuel!!!:laugh:

Thanks for the input and maybe I'll see ya at Canby, Bill

[Topdown311]

Problem solved, I guess I need to go back to basic wiring 101. Double check your connections. The green wire from the distributor had a bad connection. It looked like I may have crimped the wire casing so the connector was not in contact with the copper part of the wire. I pulled the dizzy from the engine to set the air gap and this is when I discovered the culprit. First I thought the magnetic pick up was bad since there was no resistance with a volt meter, I replaced the magnetic pick up in the dizzy and still had the problem of no spark. That is when I decided to recheck the connectors I crimped on.

Now the car starts right up and idles smoother than before. Sorry no Z car content but maybe someday....Thanks.. Bill

[EScanlon]

Excellent, you'd be surprised how often just going back to "see" what exactly was done that the solution presents itself.

Glad you got it done. Canby is definitely a go, working on getting both a Z and a Roadster...maybe two there, but will have to see.

E