Minimum electrical needed to get car running

[collins_dan]

Got it. Just reread your last update. So are you not getting spark to the spark plugs?

[Mike+2]

Got it. Just reread your last update. So are you not getting spark to the spark plugs?

None.. to the plugs, can't static time the distributor, can't get the test lamp to go on/off repeatedly when turning the engine over by the starter.

Has to be distributor, either not grounded right, or grounded always on.. I don't know how to deal with that part. I can't seem to find info on it, but one thing I have not done is test continuity of the ground wire in the distributer from plate to body. I think, I can put a meter on that and find out, But for now, I'm just happy I have the upper level of AAA as I'll probably need a few tows in the furture.

[Craven]

Seems to be a conflict in your test results, a past test shows there is a permanent ground connection at the negative terminal on the coil ? yes/no. yet you have carried out a check on the condenser that indicates a change in its voltage ? yes/no. As the condenser is connected to the negative coil terminal, via internal connection in distributor, then one of the two tests is invalid.
Hope you have correctly set your contact breaker points to 0.015. Disconnect the condenser from the post and then look for flashing test lamp on negative coil terminal and ground. A healthy spark will not be generated without a good condenser in circuit.

[Mike+2]

Great suggestion Craven. First thing in morning I will test without the condenser.

Yes, points are set at .015. Since I run electronic ignition in my Triumphs, it was def a challenge learning to set the points. A .017 won’t slip in. .016 is tight, might be opening slightly as I insert feeler. Im confident I’m as close to .015 as can be as 0.14 slides in with little to no resistance. To get to that, probably 20 minutes of fiddling. Sheesh.

I sure hope this is it. I’ve never been stumped more than a day or two on Triumph issues. But the Lotus, she’s special. I hope to know her better.

Me and Mrs. Jones…. We have a thing…..going on…

Tower of Power version of that song is my fav.

Mike

[HCA]

I sure hope this is it. I’ve never been stumped more than a day or two on Triumph issues. But the Lotus, she’s special. I hope to know her better.

Mike

The Lotus ignition is not special - exactly the same pretty well as Triumph, BMC etc.
‘Fraid I am lost on what you are trying to do. I do not know why you do not do what you did originally. By all accounts it worked.

[2cams70]

Pigtail lead in distributor broken?
Quite a common failure point back in the day. Check it for continuity both sides of the lead. Don't just rely on a visual inspection. If your distributor has vacuum advance there will also be an earthing pigtail between the fixed and moving parts of the breaker plate. Check this too if that's the case.