In my 68 (with a 289, pertronic ignitionand Edlebrock 600) I have a hard time starting. It's wierd...it seems to start as I let off the key. Is it possible that I'm not getting power to coil during starting??

 

I think maybe yes. When you turn the ignition switch all the way to the start position the electricit to the coil goes through a specialcircuit that adds volts to your coil. When you let the key go back into the start position the electricity flows through a different circuit and less volts are sent to the coil.

I had a coil explode on my 65 one time because the circuit was faulty and the switch was sending the extra voltage to the coil all the time. Evidently the old yellow-top coil didn't like it and blew up. What a mess! Do you know whats inside a coil? There was black junk everywhere under the hood.

 

Thanx for the reply. What should I do from here?

 

It gets voltage from the starter soleniod. Are both the little wires hooked up to the starter soleniod? The one closest to the starter cable is the one that goes to the coil. If it is hooked up try disconnecting it and see what happens when you try to start it.

 

So the engine turns over but doesn't actually start until you let go of the key, right?

If so, then you are geting plenty of power to the soloniod/starter. To check to see if you are getting juice to the coil you'll need to have someone turn the key while you use a voltmeter to measure the volts going to the positive side of the coil. If the circuit fails in the start position then you will have little of no volts when the key is turned all the way to start. But when the key is released and the ignition switch moves to the run position measure again and see if you're getting 12 volts to the coil.

 

Sweet! I'm almost sure there's only one wire attached. I'll check it out tonight. any idea what color wire each is??
thanx!!

 

Well I checked it today...sure enough the wire wasn't even attached! I attached is and she fired up nice and easy!! Thanx for the advice! Oh, and yes I do feel like a fool! I'm adjusting the carb, timing... Wish evey fix was that easy!!