In need of some guidance....

[Allaround4x4]

So I've been out of the country for a month so I am just now getting back to work on my Wagoneer. The issue I was having before was no spark to the plugs. I had spark from the coil to cap but not out of cap to plugs. Here's what I did before I left.

New cap and rotor (not a crappy one from Autozone) - had no effect
New ICM - had no effect
New Coil - had no effect
New wires - had no effect

I ordered a new distributor and just installed it today. Guess what. It had no effect.

This issue arose after I changed my timing cover due to a crack in it. Yes all the gears were installed correctly. I have timed and re-timed the motor several times to no avail. I am extremely confused as to why this has occurred after a simple cover change. Any guidance on resolving the issue would be incredibly helpful. Thanks in advance.

[AwesomeJ10]

bad ignition wire to the dizzy?

should have 12v + when the key is in BOTH the 'on' and 'starting' position. IIRC it's a yellow wire coming out of the firewall to the ignition box.

[Stuka]

So you are getting spark out of the coil? So if you a plug in the end of the wire, ground the threads, and turn the engine over, it sparks consistently?

[Allaround4x4]

Yes it sparks consistently. Ill check the ignition wire but i think i already have

[Allaround4x4]

so i think the ignition wire is ok. Im reading around 12.8v on a meter.

[will e]

When you say you have timed and retimed the motor can you expand on how you have done this?

[Stuka]

So if you take a plug wire off (any one) and you put a plug in the end, ground the threads, and turn over the engine, you get zero spark?

[tgreese]

The rotor has to be out of phase with the cap somehow.

[Allaround4x4]

yes stuka, no spark. In response to will e, i have hand turned the motor to TDC of the compression stroke on cylinder 1. Then arranged my spark plug wires on the cap accordingly. Aaaaaaand..... no fire. This is a brand new distributor, cap, and rotor.

[will e]

Thank you for clarifying. So when you test from the coil and it works you are cranking the engine and getting multiple spark fires but if you put the coil wire into the distributor and check any of the plug wires you do not get a spark. Is this correct?

[Cheap Hobby]

I remember this discussion from before you left.
OK since this started with the cover change and you have changed the disco, let's start there and work out. Have you pulled the cap and verified the rotor is turning and turning clockwise? Is the the pick up wheel turning with the shaft? Did the new disco include cap and rotor or are you using the old ones. I remember you tested continuity of the old ones.
The problem has got be in that area the ignition system is getting the signal to fire. Have you retraced your steps for removing the old cover to make sure everything is in place? Ground wire are all connected?

[Allaround4x4]

will e, this is correct. In response to Cheap Hobby: Rotor is turning clockwise. Pick up wheel is turning with the shaft as well. I bought brand new cap and rotor, not using old ones. Everything is in place, nothing is missing. About the ground wire tho. Where might this be located at so I can check it. This may be whats going on.

[Cataldo]

What distributor are you using? HEI? Ground wire is a tang that goes to one of the screws that hold the coil into the cap. I have seen this forgotten time and time again. Also the button that goes beneath the coil, is it there? with the spring? I believe it goes coil, rubber washer,spring loaded button, distributor cap in that order.

[Allaround4x4]

I am using a new oem distributor, Motorcraft. The ground wire is there along with the button on the cap

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[csuengr]

What part of the vehicle were you grounding the plug to when you tested it?

[Allaround4x4]

The block

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[will e]

how about a picture of the cap and rotor and a spark plug wire you are using.

[Stuka]

Its sound like either the cap/rotor are wrong for each other, they are way out of phase from each other, or maybe the wires have the wrong ends? As in male vs female. Like when switching from an OEM cap to a TFI cap, the ends are different.

[derf]

Dumb question just to make sure.

Are you sure you're getting the plugs pushed all the way into the distributor cap? It takes a fair amount of force to get them to fully engage. You may even have to twist them slightly as you push in, especially if they're new. They should positively click into the socket when they make a good connection.

[Allaround4x4]

Stuka what do you mean exactly when you say out of phase? And Derf I'm pretty sure they are pressed in all the way but I'll definitely double check that. I did notice they were kind of tight after the new cap and wires.

I just know that this has got to be something simple. This weekend I've got a mechanic that works where I work to come look at it and tell me what's up.

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