260z cranking trouble

Cool. Glad you found the problem.

Pulling the high tension coil wire from the center of the distributor cap is not recommended. Pull the positive 12 volt power supply wire from the + terminal on the coil, it'll have the same effect without high voltage trying to hunt its way to ground willy nilly.

That's why I specifically sald "and lay it against the engine." I don't want no willy nilly hunt. I want it to go directly back to engine ground just like the spark plugs do.

You're right... Disabling the low side of the coil is actually a safer way to disable the spark. The reason I suggested the coil wire instead of the low voltage side is that you can do it in an instant without tools. It's faster, easier, and just as safe and effective, if you do it right.

I should have been more specific and said "After you pull the coil wire out of the distributor, you'll notice that there is a metal end on it where it connects into the distributor cap. Lay the coil wire against the engine in such a way that the metal end makes electrical contact to a good ground connection to something like the intake manifold or valve cover."

Better?

Edited October 18, 201311 yr by Captain Obvious