This demonstration shows exactly in my opinion why those enclosed “coil wound” spark testers shouldn’t be used for ignition system diagnosis, they will still light up on a spark that’s too weak to fire an air/fuel mixture. Always use a tester that uses an air gap so you can see the quality of the spark and see if the ignition system can really “walk the walk”. The tester shown at the end is good for testing stock HEI to aftermarket CDI but, not ballasted ignition systems or some coil packs because the gap is too wide. While the breaker points in this setup should theoretically last longer by not having to handle current and thus no arcing… I have my doubts if they’re an aftermarket set of points. The rubbing blocks aren’t made correctly on them these days. I had a friend that couldn’t get more than 3000 miles out of a set. I would complete the setup by using a points eliminator kit or better yet a later distributor with a magnetic pickup if the engine application allows it.
Another grear video
This demonstration shows exactly in my opinion why those enclosed “coil wound” spark testers shouldn’t be used for ignition system diagnosis, they will still light up on a spark that’s too weak to fire an air/fuel mixture. Always use a tester that uses an air gap so you can see the quality of the spark and see if the ignition system can really “walk the walk”. The tester shown at the end is good for testing stock HEI to aftermarket CDI but, not ballasted ignition systems or some coil packs because the gap is too wide.
While the breaker points in this setup should theoretically last longer by not having to handle current and thus no arcing… I have my doubts if they’re an aftermarket set of points. The rubbing blocks aren’t made correctly on them these days. I had a friend that couldn’t get more than 3000 miles out of a set.
I would complete the setup by using a points eliminator kit or better yet a later distributor with a magnetic pickup if the engine application allows it.