Hi guys
I have a 1098 engine out of a 74 Leyland. I can't get it to spark. I've looked up starting a stand alone engine and followed the tips. but no spark.so, until that happens I can't go any further. the coil i'm using should be ok since it came off a engine that worked. it's got new leads. new cap. i'm not sure if I have the leads hooked up properly? any hints would be appreciated.
cheers
Andy

If there's +12 volts to the +ve side of the coil, and the points are opening and shutting then there should be a spark from the coil output alone. It could however be the condenser in the dizzy which once shot will either short the negative side of the coil to ground, or open circuit and ruin the points.

So check the condenser and points, and then there should be an output from the coil lead.

if not, then look at your coil.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Yeah, first thing I would check (assuming you have it all connected correctly) would be the points. If they are not opening and closing then you will not get a spark. If the surface of the contacts on the points are all pitted and/or charred then you will need to clean them up with a points file or replace them. If they're all good then you can test the coil in situ by disconnecting the points from the -ve side of the coil and connecting a good bit of wire instead, lining the rotor up with one of the cylinder contacts in the cap, and using the wire you attached to the coil to manually pulse the coil (touching it on and off a good earth point - can be a good idea to tie it around the tip of a screwdriver to make it easier) and look for a spark on your 'lined up' plug. Obviously you need to have the plug earthed for the electrode to spark...

If by 'spark' you mean start then it could be a number of issues and if you're trying to start it out of the car a big problem can be earthing...