Suggestions needed
 

I was hooking up the battery the other day and it arced to the battery hold down frame and now engine will not start. I did ohm test on the coil and ballast resister and both showed good. I checked power from the switch to the coil and from the coil to the distributor everything is getting power. I reset the points and still no go. Any suggestions? I am working with a 239 switched to 12v and negative ground.

Ok a few questions
Did this run before the spark show?
Does it crank or turn over?
If it does crank / turn over are you getting spark?
I just don't under stand where you are at other than you have power to the coil & dist. but is don't crank who cares.
BTT
Dave ----

WHO CARES????? I care and am trying to do it right. If it is a problem for me to ask questions to try and solve a problem I guess I need to go to another site to try and get resolution

I wonder if there is an auto correct issue with his response? I have the same questions. Does it crank and not start or not crank?

Prior to the sparking issue, the engine cranked and started. I have cleaned the points, reset the points, ) which tells me the points are opening and closing as I had to move them to the high point) and have installed 3 different condensors. Now it will crank but not start. I cannot check as to getting a spark until I get someone to turn the engine while I m checking for spark

You could rig a bump switch for the starter, or just get the points rubbing block on the flat of the cam and open and close the points manually using a srewdriver while holding the business end of the coil wire near a ground. Alternativly you can position the engine so the points are open then turn the distributor so they open and close to check for spark.

Use a jumper wire to trigger the starter relay.

Ok will try that, thanks for the assist, will advise

Sorry I guess I did not word my words right, I wanted to know if the motor cranked / turned over with the key.

What type of starter relay do you have as it could be real easy to hook up a start button to some of them.
If the points are closed you could also put power on and off to the + side of the coil while checking for spark should be the same as the points opening and closing IIRC.

It's a easy system and never heard of one going belly up from a short like you had.
Being you have changed the condenser the only other thing I can think of for spark is a coil.

Sorry again and good luck.
Dave ----

I have already thought of the coil being bad and bought a new one without result. I have discovered the wire that comes from the coil under the distributor and inside to the point where the condensor connects is frayed, so am going to change it out and see if that is the problem.

I had this happen one time on my Harley, and it killed the battery . Check your battery again, only takes a minute.

Thanks for the feedback but battery is good. I think I may have found the problem, the wire from the bottom of the distributor to the connector with the condensor is frayed.
Tommorow I am going to replace it and see if that is the problem.