I pulled, A RUNNING 1974 454 HEI from a 1974!I want to start it on my engine stand so I can get a compression check.Please FILL in the blank or change whatever is wrong, w/this outline,Run a hot wire from the battery to the starter and a ground to the block. DONE! Then run a second wire from the power on your cap to the battery. (I take this to mean the Bat + term. on the cap) Then use a wire from the s on the starter to the hot on the starter (THIS IS WHERE I HAVE MY START TRIGGER WIRED IN.) and it will crank over and fire up.I have 12 vdc at the BAT+ but still no spark, WHAT AM I DOING WRONG.??????????THANKS FOR THE HELP.The coil in the cap is good and I have gas.
Just run 12volts to the BAT terminal directly from the battery and dont forget to ground it too.
ok if the motor cranks over then you are half way there. the - side of the battery is connected to the block. the + is going to the top terminal on the starter, you cross the big terminal with the inside terminal on the starter and it cranks over. now with another wire from the + side of the battery going to the bat terminal on the distributor cap, that should give you spark. cap and rotor are new, then the only other thing it could be is the module. try another distributor. try a spark plug in your spark plug wires and ground it to the - side of the battery , and crank it over and check for spark. i bet its your module, but check for spark first.
Why would you want a running engine to perform a compression test? Just crank the engine for this test. Now for the hook up, your cranking circuit sounds fine, heavy gauge wire from battery +p to starter motor solenoid +p. Heavy neg -N cable to engine block ground or engine stand. By appling 12v to the S terminal on solenoid energizes the starter and spins the engine. If the solenoid at the starter has anI terminal this is a 12 volt ignition bypass, providing a full 12 volts to the ignition coil for cold start, 12 volts will be provided as long as the keyswitch is engaged. If you do not have this terminal connected you will not have a secondary ignition circuit, which causes no-start. If the solenoid does not have an I terminal disregard the above, as the system utilized 12 v fulltime. Now for the ignition system, pretty basic set up, ensure 12v at the coil terminal under cap, the ign. control module will cycle the ignition coil based on the input from the reluctor and trigger wheel at the distributor, ensure the distributor shaft rotates and is not stripped or broken, ensure 12volt at ignition coil input, the negative to trigger the circuit originates at the trigger wheel, ensure all eight teeth are present and wiring is good, it has a permanent magnet built in check it, all else check outs have the ignition control module (also under cap) tested for serviceability. Some car have a delay 12volts to the ignition via the oil pressure switch, to prevent engine use and damage in event of oil deprivation. no oil no power to the ignition, thats why you have the ign.bypass circuit during startup no oil pressure is presenthope this helps.good luck
The GM HEI is the simplest ignition to wire ever made.All it takes is 12 volts at the bat terminal at the cap and an engine ground.Having that connected right,there is something else wrong.Either an internal problem in the cap with the pickup/amplifier or coil.Both are not very likely.At the risk of sounding stupid,are you sure the distributor shaft is turning?
