I have a 79 t/a with an olds 403. I have been having trouble getting a spark and starting the motor over the past few months.... the motor will crank fine but Half of the time I try to start it I get no spark.... I replaced the distributer, cap and rotor, module, plugs, coil, and wires.. its all new but I still get this problem half of the time. If i get the car started, it sounds like I have a dead cylinder until it warms up, then its fine. It also runs like that as soon as I get off the highway and will stall out if I don't pop it into neutral at a stoplight. After I realized that I couldn't figure it out myself I took it to some garages, every one says that its a different problem, says they fixed it, but after a week or so im back where I started. any suggestions?? Thanks

I have a 79 t/a with an olds 403. I have been having trouble getting a spark and starting the motor over the past few months.... the motor will crank fine but Half of the time I try to start it I get no spark.... I replaced the distributer, cap and rotor, module, plugs, coil, and wires.. its all new but I still get this problem half of the time. If i get the car started, it sounds like I have a dead cylinder until it warms up, then its fine. It also runs like that as soon as I get off the highway and will stall out if I don't pop it into neutral at a stoplight. After I realized that I couldn't figure it out myself I took it to some garages, every one says that its a different problem, says they fixed it, but after a week or so im back where I started. any suggestions?? Thanks

I know you said you replaced the distibutor, but I had a similar problem with erratic starting problems and it was my pick up coil. As far as the dead cylinder until it warms up, I dunno. Do you have a big cloud of smoke coming out like you are burning off a flooding situation? Maybe your carb is leaking out the bottom plugs while it sits? Just taking some guesses. By the way welcome to the board!

Jay, next time you have a problem, jump the HEI batt wire to the battery directly. that will bypass any internal wiring issues to the ignition switch. You should definitely get spark, and if it still doesn't fire, your problem is elsewhere.

George