guys looking a a 78 for this girl, unknownn how long since it has run, said it started with fuel leaks and just let it sit for a long time.

Anyway this has got me a bit puzzled, when you turn the key on and crank engine wont start, very weak spark but when you let off the cranking the ign continues to fire non stop until you turn key all the way to the off position, you can even here it inside the cap buzzing!!! any clues here??

 

Does the key have a hard time turning back off? Have you used a voltmeter to check where there is still power?

 

no key is funtioning correct, after thinking about this overnite, the only thing i can think would cause this is a shorted pickup in dizzy?????

 

For that to happen the ignition relay has to stay on. Must be in the ignition switch or the relay.

 

Im not talking about the engine cranking over, just constant sparking without the engine turning over, isnt the pickup in the dizzy the only thing that cause the coil to fire?

 

The pick up inside the dizzy reads a magnetic pulse change. If it isn't turning that won't happen. Maybe the pick up is loose or you have a short inside. Repeat the problem with the cap off and watch inside.

 

same prob, with cap off after first attemp to turn over engine , continuous sparg non stop till key is removed!

 

Can you see a spark? From where to where? The pick up coil inside the dizzy sends a pulse to the coil so check to see that is tight and has an air gap between it and the cam lobes. Somethig is sending the high voltage from the coil to ground otherwise you wouldn't hear it. That's also why it won't start.

 

****s changing on me now ARRRRGHH. orig you could see the spark (strong continuous) from the dizzy cap center conductor to one of the spark plug wires without the engine turning over. Now I disconnected the dizzy pick and tried and no spark, then I reconnected the dizzy puckup and now have no sparking at all??????? need to get a new batt in this thing before I go much futher, doesnt appear fuel pump is running either, but baby steps first, prob by prob! also didnt see any blown fuses or links!