i had the same experiance a few years back, and have had it on early mack trucks. all had a common trait. positive ground. i can't tell you why this occurs, but at 2 a.m. and ya want the thing to start on nothing happens, why don't mean much. on the mack the diodes in the alternator would fry, and on the g.m.c. gas job, the CONDENSER, AND THE CONDENSER ONLY fried. points, rotor, etc. are mechanical parts and could care less which way the current flows. capacitors, and diodes ain't quite that way.
for me the rule is to disconnect BOTH battery leads, and anything else connected to the battery. yeah i know, disconnecting 1 battery wire disconnects the system, but try removing them both and see what happens.
by the way, post the results will ya? things like this little mystery are the things that makes people go nuts and ya just may do a great service to us all.
oh yeah----------------stop yer lurking. get in here in the game with the rest of us. pics of your trucks are always welcome, as the opportunity to meet with, and maybe become friends with, another fellow bolter. i look forward to seeing more of your posts.
