1970 T.I. Ignition Question

[James H.]

I have the T.I. ignition in my 1970 LT1. Using a not so scientific method, when I pull the coil wire and crank the car, to see the spark, I don't get a very strong looking spark. Is there any way to measure the output from the T.I. ignition module? If I send it to someone to take a look at it, are ere any tests that can be run on it to thoroughly check it out?

Is it possibly the coil itself? Are there any recommendations on how to test the coil?

The car take several tries to get it started. Once it is running, is seems to run OK, but it is really difficult to get started that first time.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a restorer / re-builder of those T.I. ignition modules?

Thanks in Advance

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 1970 T.I. Ignition Question

I have the T.I. ignition in my 1970 LT1. Using a not so scientific method, when I pull the coil wire and crank the car, to see the spark, I don't get a very strong looking spark. Is there any way to measure the output from the T.I. ignition module? If I send it to someone to take a look at it, are ere any tests that can be run on it to thoroughly check it out?

Is it possibly the coil itself? Are there any recommendations on how to test the coil?

The car take several tries to get it started. Once it is running, is seems to run OK, but it is really difficult to get started that first time.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a restorer / re-builder of those T.I. ignition modules?

Thanks in Advance

Jim

Jim, Do you know what circuit board is in the module? If it's a original Delco, be careful. It can be damaged if too many plug wires are pulled during crank. It's warning is in the CSM and AIM.

If old Delco, I would recommend you install a new K&B TI board(Ads in the Drivelines). I've used many and if everything else is good(fuel, etc) it would start in a "millisecond". Just keep the old Delco in the storage console if you're ever in need for a fix, albeit I doubt the K&B would ever fail. Those are very reliable.

Much info HERE.

Dave Fiedler and Mike Zamora are the TI go-to guys. Ads in the Drivelines.

Rich

[Duke W.]

Re: 1970 T.I. Ignition Question

How long does it sit between starts? If more than a week fuel in the bowls can evaporate, so you have to crank the engine for several seconds to get fuel in the bowls.

Is the problem cold starts after sitting for several days, hot starts after sitting for 30 minutes or so, or some other starting condition? You need to provide more precise and specific information on the problem, and like Richard said, pulling secondary wires off can damage the electronics.

Duke

[James G.]

Re: 1970 T.I. Ignition Question

How long does it sit between starts? If more than a week fuel in the bowls can evaporate, so you have to crank the engine for several seconds to get fuel in the bowls.

Is the problem cold starts after sitting for several days, hot starts after sitting for 30 minutes or so, or some other starting condition? You need to provide more precise and specific information on the problem, and like Richard said, pulling secondary wires off can damage the electronics.

Duke

I found that In my opinion it took too long cranking to fire off, which was the fuel evaportion issue so as Duke has suggested - I keep a squirt bottle of fuel to fill the bowls if mine sits for more than a week. Fill them then a squirt down the primaries. Hit the gas pedal once to set the choke then she fires off first time.

You can get a fuel bottle which feeds from the bottom from a Hobby Shop which sells nitromethane RC cars airplanes etc.

[James H.]

Re: 1970 T.I. Ignition Question

It is not sitting long enough where the fuel has evaporated from the bowls. I have looked and it gives a good squirt at first push of the petal, but I will check that again. I am talking only after 3 or 4 days.

Also, toe the T.I. module simply make the spark at the proper time, given the electronic pick-up in the distributor, and it is 100% the coil that controls how strong the spark is?

Thanks

Jim

[James G.]

Re: 1970 T.I. Ignition Question

RE: how it works, I believe either Crane or TI specialties has a very good explantion on their website of the exact operations.

I went back and realized we really need a little more info - is the car restored?
If so is this a fresh restoration problem or is this a new problem from your previously well sorted car?

NEXT
Where is your timing set?
Which coil do you have?
An original 272?
You can check the ohms across pairs of terminals, you will have to look up the readings and which terminals. The resistance is significantly less than a points coil.