I am stumped

[motoman]

Gotta do some more thinkin'........but my first suspicion would be pickup coils before any TCI issue......know that sounds backwords, but bare with me.......still thinking.........

[motoman]

And the plot thickens. With the plugs on the head i see spark across all 4 but the strobe light will not detect the signal on 1 and 2 but does on 3 and 4. I am wondering if there is a posibility that there is an exhaust system blockage. Maybe some freaking critter got in and blocked the tail pipe of headers or something. Is there any way to determine an exhaust system blockage without exhaust system removal?
Rob

Apples and oranges.........your secondary ignition issue has nuttin' to do with what exhaust is or isn't doing..........(hang on.....gotta think this thru for a sec.)

[BA80]

Sounds like you may have a weak coil. If there's a weak spark it won't fire under compression.

You got another you can swap out?

[79XS11F]

There's nothing in the tail pipes right up to the first baffle, with the air box cover off there no blockages in the stacks or air intake snorkel and no difference in the way it runs. I'm really getting discouraged now :-(

[79XS11F]

And the plot thickens. With the plugs on the head i see spark across all 4 but the strobe light will not detect the signal on 1 and 2 but does on 3 and 4. I am wondering if there is a posibility that there is an exhaust system blockage. Maybe some freaking critter got in and blocked the tail pipe of headers or something. Is there any way to determine an exhaust system blockage without exhaust system removal?
Rob

[79XS11F]

Have you done a compression test?

My tester is not working relibility but it makes no difference, there's no signal from the electrial system. I just switched out plugs and no change. The inductive timing light should see the signal even if a cylinder does not fire?
Could this be the CDI box?
Rob

[BA80]

Have you done a compression test?

[79XS11F]

This makes no sense what so ever. Okay, I have confirmed that the fuel levels in the carbs atre correct and there is no flooding. I hooked up the strobe light and I have no signal on both 1 and 2 and full signal on 3 and 4. i checked timing on 4 and it is good. with carbs paired 1 & 2 / 3 & 4 and ignition paired 1 & 4 and 2 & 3, what the heck is going on here?
Rob

[79XS11F]

I wasn't very clear there. I mean the little composite gaskets will crack.

Okay. I am using the factory alloy washers but they may need to be heated up and dipped in cool water to fatten and soften them.
Rob

[BA80]

I had that issue with the early carbs. If you overtighten the float valve in the carb body it'll crack and leak.

Don't think so but I will check it.

I wasn't very clear there. I mean the little composite gaskets will crack.

[79XS11F]

I had that issue with the early carbs. If you overtighten the float valve in the carb body it'll crack and leak.

Don't think so but I will check it.

[BA80]

Yeah, that happens a lot.......

[XJOK2PLAY]

There are much easier ways but I won't mention them because some people have read books by people that say I'm wrong. Experience means nothing sometimes.

Just look it up..........

Ok...............

[BA80]

There are much easier ways but I won't mention them because some people have read books by people that say I'm wrong. Experience means nothing sometimes.

Just look it up..........

[XJOK2PLAY]

IF the problem is in the coil or wire.

Exactly...
That was my point. It would be a quick, easy way to determine if the coils and/or wires are doing their job on each cylinder.

Quick, easy tests, to either rule out potential problems, or identify them.

It's a whole lot quicker to do that, than say, pull the carbs.

And, if ignition has been ruled out as the problem area, then move to the carbs.

I always prefer to start from baseline... Rule out the easy...then after things point the direction of carbs, go there.

Most times, that IS where the problems are, but one never knows.