Im having trouble with my car not starting. The engine turns over fine but will not fire. Is there a way I can check for spark at the spark-plug? I have heard of people pulling the spark-plug and holding a screwdriver to the side of the plug and sticking the end of the screwdriver to the header or block then turning the engine over to check for spark. Is this true or very dangerous or what? Your help is appreciated.

Not checking the spark plug performance but checking for spark just pull the wire off which ever plug then watch for spark from the boot opening to the spark plug or block or headers. Notice I don't say hold on to the wire or even a wire connected still. Have the wire just a small space away from the plug or block. You might have to have the wires spark plug boot pulled back some. Be sure to watch for sparks jumping from the sides of the wires prior to the plugs. Also don't let having a good spark take you off of checking the ignition when going one system at a time because the timing might still be off and you'll still get a healthy spark. For checking the plugs maybe use a vise grip arrangement and don't have the handle pried inbetween the alternator bracket. Electrical components might not like the jolts more than you or me. Put the vise grip on the bolt section of the plug and have the grips grounded with the wire placed back on the plug of course.

grab an extra spark plug, pull a wire off one of the plugs in the motor, and hook it up to the extra plug. hold the plug against a grounded surface- like the engine block or header or something- and crank it over. if you are alone, you can set the plug somewhere that you can see it from inside the car as you crank it. if you see a spark, you have spark. if not, you don't. also, try to notice what color the spark is, and how it sounds- if you can hear it. a good spark will be bluish in color, and make a noticable "pop" as it arcs.

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1971 Nova(looks like 69 camaro from underneath!)
355sb, vortec heads, HOT cam,T-10 tranny, 3.70 gears 16X8" IROC wheels. 12" Corvette brakes on the way.
see pics here http://community.webshots.com/user/novaderrik