HEI question
 

When replacing the coil in my HEI cap, I don't have a wire that goes from the ground on the coil to the ground terminal for the module. The coil just grounds to itself.

Is this a problem?

Re: HEI question
 

I believe coil grounds when you run the hold down screws, but its been awhile since I opened my cap

Re: HEI question
 

You have three wires coming out of the dis, and go to the coil, I am pretty sure the coils grounds itself thru the control module. It has to complete the circuit in order for the module to work. That's my thoughts for what there worth.

Re: HEI question
 

There is a terminal that goes under the coil to the center term on the connector where the dist plugs in. Some early models used a wire. This is often left out when someone replaces the cap. It must be there or serious component failure will occur.

Re: HEI question
 

Yes, you need that.
I really have no clue as to why someone would leave it out, but they do. Apparently it will run (at least for a while) with out it, but I have never seen it. Every one I ever worked on was because it wouldn't start.

Re: HEI question
 

After putting a new intake gasket on one of the many chevy vans Ive had I put a new cap ,wires and plugs in. Without realizing I left that little ground strap between the coil and the plug out. The van ran but when I
test drove it it didnt seem to run quite right so I drove past the driveway and drove it further in the other direction,all at about 2 in the morning on a work night. Well when I went to turn around again the truck stalled and would not start again,I tried until the battery was dead. It turned out to be the darkest night ever,me without I light,broke down next to the cematary 2 miles from home 230 am.It was so dark I could only find my way by following but barely seeing the yellow lines in the center of the road.Where I live there are few street lamps ,mostly only at corners,and the houses are few and far between!Needless to say when changing a HEI cap I never forgot that ground again! By the way it started right up and was fine when I fixed the ground in the daylight the next day

Re: HEI question
 

The ground strap looks like this:

Re: HEI question
 

Thanks guys.

Are these available at checker/napa?

:Edit: They are. Just found them here.

Re: HEI question
 

Did you "whistle past the graveyard?"

Re: HEI question
 

It has been years since I worked on one with the ground missing, but I don't remember one starting by just putting the ground back on. I seem to remember it always killing something else. Module? coil?

Re: HEI question
 

I lost a coil. It may have been from old wires and rusty coil support, but I suspect that I have also lost my module now. I have a new one. I should have just bought a whole new skip white unit in the beginning.

Re: HEI question
 

That's a live-and-learn thing. From what I have heard, his stuff is great, and the cost difference would be minimal. Oh well, next time

Re: HEI question
 

I ended up making a ground, as they were out at the parts store, and the salvage yard was not open.

I did get the engine to fire up, but I still have a weak spark on #5, #7 and #2. May have to order some new plugs.