My 51 with '57 235 died on me the other day, and I've been troubleshooting the system, but still haven't got it to start, and I'm stumped. The battery was dragging too quickly, and after putting it on the charger overnight, it was still not getting it done. Replaced the 5 year old batt with a new NAPA. After no luck there, I checked all the connections, put new fittings on some, cleaned all connections, then checked the distributor points, which were a little too tight, and I set them at .018. Still no luck. I then checked the coil for spark, and got none. Ohmed both primary and secondary coils in it, and it was shot. Changed the coil just now, but it still won't start. Cranks like crazy with the new battery, but no start. So I checked for spark at a plug (which looks nearly new), to the block, but not a bit of spark there(???). I've followed the main and resistor/coil wire back to the dash, and the main is feeding up to the amp gauge like it's never been off, and the smaller wire to the resistor looks good at the key switch, as far as I can tell. What else is there to check? I once found that a weak coil was the culprit in a jeep when I couldn't think of anything else. The only other thing that I can see on this system that looks like it's been there from the beginning is the condenser at the voltage regulator box. Could the regulator (which looks shiny and new inside the box) or it's condenser be responsible for a no-start? If so, what's the procedure for troubleshooting these items? It'll be a learning experience for me. Thanks for any and all ideas or opinions, hopefully asap. (I'm ready to get this thing inspected and licensed, and sell my 10mpg dually!)
