I've been wrassling for the last week w/ my propane powered /6 and have come to the conclusion that it is an ignition problem. It's getting fuel and air, and when I hold onto the sparkplug wire I get a shock, but the engine is still not running.

The problem happened suddenly; after I drove it home, everything running fine, after a couple of days when I tried to start it again, it would not run.

I 've been running the HEI for about a year and a half with no toubles and good results.

SYMPTOM: Engine cranks, does not run.

WHY I THINK IT IS THE HEI: when I switch the leads from the distributor, which goes to the left side of the ignition module, sometimes the engine will run poorly and backfire. When I hook the module up properly, the engine will not even come close to running.

WHAT I'VE TRIED SO FAR: making sure it is properly wired. Making sure all connections are good. Two different newly purchased control units. Making sure the rotor was in decent shape. Making sure distributor cap installed properly. Spark plug wires.

ONE THING I HAVE NOT TRIED: A new relay. Advance Auto didn't have any, and Autozone had a five-terminal relay. If I don't have an application, I'm SOL.

I appreciate your help. This has been driving me nuts. Already missed one cruise night.

Thanks,
Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

A new relay to replace an existing relay? Or a new relay to replace no relay?

If we are talking about getting a shock from the wire, I don't know that I agree you necessarily have a problem with the HEI installation. I think you might have a serious timing issue caused by a jumped T-chain or a faulty distributor or somesuch. Have you hooked up a timing light and watched for the T-mark while cranking?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Replacing an existing relay.

Haven't done the timing light. Good idea.


Thanks,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Dan et al,

The slipped timing chain/distributor problem would have explained the symptoms, but using the timing light I find that I'm still right at 7 degrees BTDC.


Still have not bought a relay yet.

Any other possibilities? What really throws me is how it will chug when the wires from the distributor to the ECU are reversed.

ALL help and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Did you change anything in the ignition system between when it was running and now that it is not running?

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Reed---

Originally, no. It was running one day, and then it wasn't. SInce then I've checked wires and replaced two different new ECUs.

Any idears?

JOe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"

Try replacing the coil.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Maybe. What kind of coil is it?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Reed--you called it. That would probably be the last place I looked, as there was spark and all.

So--changing the timing via reversing ECU to distributor changed the timing enough that a weak spark would still work???

Anyways, glad to be running again.

Coil is a made in the USA MSD 8226.

Thanks everyone for all of your help,

Joe

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Joe Hoppe

71 D100 225 Super Six 727 AT on 2008 Crown Vic CopCar frame

64 Valiant Wagon 225 904 AT 3:23 8.75"