Do distributors need to be grounded?

The modules and pickup coils shouldn’t be grounded to the distributor either. The newer HEIs have the coil mounted to the engine block so it gets it’s ground through the mount. Points need a ground in the distributor, but the electronic systems shouldn’t.

Where can I ground my HEI distributor?

There is a ground strap that bolts to the outside of the coil and comes out between the battery terminal and the tach terminal. The tach terminal is the negative side of the coil not ground. From the factory the module harness atatches to this and the distributor in grounded to the intake.

Can a jumper wire be attached to a performance distributor?

But, if the ground from the engine to the battery is making a good connection, ignition spark will be none existent. To test for a good ground, a jumper wire can be attached to the distributor by connecting it anywhere on the housing and running it to the negative side of the battery.

What should the voltage be on an ignition module?

Voltage, measured at the coil’s + terminal, must never exceed 13.7 volts at any RPM level. Too much voltage going to the coil’s + terminal can cause the ignition module to overheat and run erratically or fail.

What should the voltage drop be on a ground axle?

Check voltage drop between the transmission case and battery negative post. Voltage drop should be 0.2 volts or lower. Check individual chassis grounds by taking a voltage drop across each ground strap on the transmission. Voltage drop should be 0.2 volts or lower. Clean, repair or replace transmission grounds as necessary.

What should the voltage be on a HEI distributor?

Disconnect the green and white wires from the module and touch the positive meter lead to the green wire and the negative lead to the white wire. The normal reading should be between 800 – 910 ohms. Testing the primary circuit of the coil. The remaining electronic part that would keep the distributor from firing is the module.

But, if the ground from the engine to the battery is making a good connection, ignition spark will be none existent. To test for a good ground, a jumper wire can be attached to the distributor by connecting it anywhere on the housing and running it to the negative side of the battery.

Disconnect the green and white wires from the module and touch the positive meter lead to the green wire and the negative lead to the white wire. The normal reading should be between 800 – 910 ohms. Testing the primary circuit of the coil. The remaining electronic part that would keep the distributor from firing is the module.

Voltage, measured at the coil’s + terminal, must never exceed 13.7 volts at any RPM level. Too much voltage going to the coil’s + terminal can cause the ignition module to overheat and run erratically or fail.

Can a performance distributor ground itself to the engine?

Typically, the distributor grounds itself to the engine when installed. But, if the ground from the engine to the battery is making a good connection, ignition spark will be none existent.