I have a 1972 Chevy C-10 with a 350 no a/c. I drove it a few weekends ago and when i went to park it died but i coasted into my parking spot didnt think anything of it. When i came back to try to start it the thing wouldnt fire. It cranked fine and would start to fire as if the timing was off. I checked everything i could think of. On my way back to look under the hood i left the ignition on and the wires across the top of the firewall were smoking and the back side of the fuse box on the firewall was melted. I shut the key off and havent touched it since. Wondering where to look what to do? Anything would help tremendously!

Thanks

Eric

I'm guessing this thing still has points. If it does the resistor wire from the bulkhead to the positive side of the coil will get hot if the key is left on and the points are closed, but it shouldn't get that hot so quickly. Disconnect the resistor wire from the coil and check the voltage on this wire with the key in the run position. It should be around 7-9 volts when the engine's not running. If you don't have voltage there you probably fried the wire and it will have to be replaced. If you do have voltage, turn the key off and re-attach it to the positive side of the coil. There is probably another wire on the positive side of the coil that goes to the starter solenoid that gives the coil full voltage for starting only. Take that wire off and leave it off until you finish testing. Now disconnect the wire from the distributor to the negative side of the coil. Have someone turn the key to the run position while you feel the resistor wire. If it heats up your coil is shorted and needs to be replaced. If it stays cool try reconnecting the wire that goes to the solenoid. If the resistor wire heats up you may have solenoid problems or the wire to the solenoid is shorted to ground somewhere. If it stays cool replace the points and condensor and you should be on your way.

With no load on the ignition wire, one will see battery voltage. Attaching the wire to the coil with closed point set, current will be drawn, wire resistance goes up, voltage comes down to 7-9 volts.

Point set probably needs changing due to the length of time with key on, contact set has changed physical shape, as a part of one contact tranferred to the other contact. Now point set will have a high point resistance if measured with dwell meter set on point resistance setting.

I would say the rubbing block on point set has eroded from use narrowing the point gap, if any. Just my thoughts.

Thanks Guys it was the wire from the coil to the starter it had broken loose from the connector on the starter and was resting on the casing of the starter. She runs fine now!!

You're welcome.