Is my HEI coil toast?

[ak_petey]

Seems like everything is going wrong here on my build...
this is a general tech question. probably will get a quick and easy answer for my ignorance.
what is happening?
problem: truck wont start!
motor cranks over.. no fire.
I invent some swear words.
I do not believe I am getting power to my HEI coil.
I checked the power source to my ignition wire that runs to the HEI. I have power.
I am running a 20 amp fuse to it that is also tied into my fuel pump. (in case I need to shut it down I have fuel and power shut off to the motor).
I checked the little button that sticks through the rotor cap for power with my test light and it did not light up.

Is my coil dead?

[akram]

So you have 12V going in right? If so check spark. If you have or can get a spark tester. If not you can pull a plug ground the electrode to metal and have the girlfriend crank the motor. You will see the spark. If no spark there is a chance the coil is bad. also keep in mind you need 12V. So if the fuel pump is pulling also you not be actually getting 12V. You may need a secondary ignition hook up.

A couple tests you can do.
1st test- primary resistance, tach to bat terminals. Above 0 but less than 1 ohm.

Connect an ohmmeter to each terminal of the pick-up coil connector or wire and ground (one terminal at a time). The ohmmeter should indicate infinite resistance. If it doesn't, the pick-up coil is defective.

Hope this helps. Also some parts stores used to test these for free not sure if they still do or not.

[akram]

Not exactly a solution but some good insight for you.

http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=137248

[Fix_It]

under the coil in the cap there is a lookin horse shoe (ignition module) fuse like critter they go out easily like welding on frame and such ...did it on mine too .. keep spares ..

[ak_petey]

When I was checking the cap. .. the plastic connector that runs up to the cap, had the middle wire (ground) loose. I had to bend a little tab to get the wire to snap back into the plastic connector. I think that ground wire got loose and had an electrical arc with the power wires. this may have fried the ignition modual. Not my fault. When I got it all back together before inspecting it all again.. I found my fuel and ignition fuse was blown.. I plan on taking it back to shucks monday. (im busy tomorrow with my comp. exam) I may claim that the coil got fried too just to be sure and get new parts