OK. 302 4-speed in a 66 coupe. Car was running a year ago and burnt up dash harness. New harness is installed. Engine fired up yesterday with difficulty. I went to check timing and it was 40 deg +. Turned on timing light, retarded timing, light went out. Engine would only start when timing was extremely high. With timing turned down, car ran swell except for exhast leak. Today, engine will not start. It acts like it wants to but just won't catch. TDC matches #1 cylinder on compression stroke. Firing order is currently 15426378. Fire (Pertronix) and fuel (650 Speed Demon) are functioning. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

...Can't happen. I'm thinking if you got fire and fuel, it should start. I suspect a bad coil wire.

 

coil wire is good.

 

Not to be a smart ***, but, how do you know for sure? I have seen vehicles that won't fire until you advance them but, once running, you set timing and by turning the wire, you break the connection.

 

If you broke the connection in the coil wire while the engine was runing, wouldn't you lose spark and the engine stop?