1976 cj5 starting

I know its been gone over, but I just want to check my thought.

its a 1976 cj5 304 thats been updated ( does not have points or condenser ). Well its been starting and running up till now. I have had a hard time starting it, but once its starts, it runs good. Anyways, yesterday morning I tried to start it it wouldnt. It would crank, but not start. So I checked my fuel and its good. I check the plugs and they were wet, so I put new ones in. Still wouldnt start so I pulled the igntion coil wire off the middle of the distrb. cap, and had my buddy crank it, there was no fire coming out of the wire. I check the one side of the coil with the key on and I get 12 volts. Soo, would it be safe to say the coil is bad ? Or should I replace the ignition module ( little square box mounted on fender ) ?

thanks,
Mike

 

If you have the original ignition, on a '76 it will be the Prestolite system. A '76 comes from the factory with electronic ignition - no updating was needed. I would not spend a dime on the Prestolite stuff - instead I would replace it with the '78-on Motorcraft Duraspark ignition. Or, you could buy an aftermarket GM HEI distributor. Or you could go back to points ignition, by using a '74 or earlier distributor. The Duraspark stuff would be my first choice, but the HEI distributors are very popular. Any of these choices will be vastly more reliable, compared to the Prestolite stuff.

The first thing I would do is replace the coil, to eliminate that possibility. Even if that's not the problem, a spare coil is a good thing to have (BTDT), and they only cost about $20. Or, you can borrow one from another car to test with.

If the coil does not fix the problem, it could be the module or the little sense coil in the distributor. But again, I would not throw parts at a Prestolite system. Clean the connectors well and make sure the module ground is good, but don't buy any parts for it.

Search for Prestolite in this forum - you'll find a lot of discussion.

 

Thanks. I have read about the prestolite stuff and thats what I have. I do want to convert, but at this time I am putting any extra money into gettin it rolling, so just trying to bandaid the old stuff just to get it to run.

Thanks , I will try a coil first since its only 17 at napa.

 

I went to 4 Wheel Parts Wholesalers spent the $100 on an HEI and never looked back. Just all around better.

 

Me Too!! :iagree::iagree::iagree: