Big block starting and dying with ignition

[Remusa12]

I'm trying to start my engine in my charger its a 440 low compression with an msd-like ready to run distributor. it cranked for a while and we had to pull the distributor and turn the gear one over because it was off and then it actually starts. The issue at hand now though is it dies as soon as the key leaves the cranking position. Our working theory right now is that our ignition wire runs to the coil so when you let the key off the ignition trigger stops and kills it so we don't know if we need to run a wire from the battery to the coil.

 

[65-440]

Not still using the ballast resistor are you?

 

[Remusa12]

The ballast was plugged in but not supposed to be running through the wiring like that but we bypassed it with wires now and it still did the same thing .that was my dads first though too.

 

[65-440]

Did you run your own wiring? The coil + should be hot with key on. Check your wiring

 

[65-440]

You can jump it to battery positive for test purposes but do not leave it that way

 

[65-440]

The ballast is fed ignition voltage with key on, why not use that wire to feed the coil?

 

[Ron H]

I had a similar ill. Usually the symptoms include a ballast, bad ignition switch...but in my case a poor connection at the bulkhead ignition wire. See if you notice any indication of overheating there. In my case this prodded me to replace the BH then later found the 'new' engine harness ignition wire was loose that might have been created by the earlier bad contact...

 

[Ron H]

A fast check is to have someone cranking the engine and bump the harness to see if it will keep running after letting the key off the start mode. In my case moving the harness upward got a good contact that would eventually skank out after a few miles.