My 12 volt conversion is taking a turn for the worse. I've got my wiring complete (easiest piece) now having problems getting the darn truck to start. I have a new 12 volt starter and the motor turns over with no problem. My main problem is iginition. I have fuel to the carb.

 

welcome to the club. do you have a resistor in line before coil? does coil have resistor? can't have both. explain what you have so far, we'll see if it can't be fixed.

 

This is what I've done. Bought the truck in September. Was told the truck started 20 yrs ago. It has been stored in a garage for the last 20yrs. Rewired the truck with painless wiring kit for the t bucket. Circuits were very similar. Installed new powermaster starter last weekend. Motor turns over just fine with this starter. Installed fuel pump 3 psi only. Just to help the old fuel pump along the way and seemed to work got fuel to carb. But no spark. No resistor yet but I have the original one but the original as you know was 6 volt system positive ground. Now it is negative ground and 12 volt. Going to drive this 1.5 ton truck every day. New plugs are installed. New coil is also 12 volt. Would like to get rid of points. Started to read about a pertonix kit. I would like to update what is necessary. This truck is completely original except for the new red paint. Hopefully this rambling on will help. I GREATLY APPRECIATE EVERYONES HELP.

 

more than likely a 59ab with dual points. set gaps at 15 each, check rotor for corosion, check cap for carbon tracking and corrosion. these caps have a habit of carbon tracking, look between center terminal and #2. weak link. negative terminal of coil to distributor. make sure condensor AND post that coil and condensor attach to is tight and insulator is in place on post, or she will ground out. you need a resistor. whether it is under dash, (like factory), or in the coil. BUT NOT BOTH! pertronix is the cats meow for these engines if you got the bucks to invest.

 

Yes the motor is a 59ab. I will just use the factory resistor for now. Looks like i need to get a 12volt condenser. The pertronix kit was less than 250 at summit. I was just up there last weekend and the have it in stock. The inside of the distributor look ok. I have just an generic coil. I will doublecheck wiring to coil this weekend wasn't sure if I need to switch something because I changed to negative ground. I have power to the coil both sides if thats right? i'm not completely familiar with distrubitors and carbs. use to tinkering on fuel injection. But wouldn't tradethis truck for anything and its not even on the road yet. Thanks

 

i'm going to assume you changed generator to 12 volt. did you flash regulator for polarity?

 

Have not decided on generator upgrade or go to alt. yet. Figured I would make a decision after I get this thing started. So there is no chrging system hooked up yet, just the generator to hold the belt in place for now. Is there a diffeence in ciondensers to 12 volt vs 6 volt?

 

i use a parts plus condensor, #G97

 

I have new cap, rotor, condensor and ballast resistor. Hopefully I didn't cash my coil. I think now I have all 12 volt parts now to get this thing started. I'll find out sunday night.

 

No spark at plugs, or no spark out of coil?

Did you set the point gap?

Do you have 12 volts at coil with key on? If so, is 12v at + or - side of coil?

 

I have 12 volt at both side of coil. with switch on. I just got in from garage trying once again to start this darn thing. I got the wrong cap for this truck distrubitor. Working on this era of truck has become a pain because no one knows what I need locally including summit racing.(I live 2 miles away) addition to the fact I have no other experience with anything other than fuel injection. Now i'm completely lost. I need help now dont know how to test half this old technology.