Before I taking off distributor (which is a pain), I'd like to make sure I'm on the right track with this no start problem. I pulled a plug and ground the threads and no spark. I replace power stage with a known good one in my garage, and still no spark. Pull the coil wire from the distributor and ty-wrapped it next to the strut nut so would arc, and have spark.

My question is this, could the coil spark be weak and not cause the plug to spark, or should I consider the pulling distributor (with those hard to get to 10mm screws) and see if the rotor, or something else, is broken? My tach jumps slightly as engine turns, so looks as if rpm sensor is OK (fuel pump relay clicks).

Thanks for any input.

Gary