Nice sunny day I thought. Nice day to give the buggy a run out I thought. Would it start, would it heck. Last run was 4 weeks ago and that time it didn't want to start. Checked inside dizzy cap for damp, which was fine, replaced it and then it started! No such luck thus time.
Electric fuel pump working fine. Took a plug out and held it against block and there is a spark but it looks weak and dancing around the electrodes a bit. Plug is a little black but not overly so.
The buggy has only ever done 1500 miles so don't think anything needs replacing due to wear but everything is about 30 years old. Suggestions where to start or how to diagnose please. Very frustrated 

Weak spark check the carbon brush in the distributor cap is ok and it moves to touch the rotor arm.
You could try a wire straight from battey pos to the coil live feed this eliminates any voltage drop around the wiring then turn the key to start it.

Weak spark check the carbon brush in the distributor cap is ok and it moves to touch the rotor arm.
You could try a wire straight from battey pos to the coil live feed this eliminates any voltage drop around the wiring then turn the key to start it.

Thanks Snoopy. Been working on my bus this afternoon. Will try the buggy again tomorrow. Could it be the coil too if it's a weak spark?

Points or electronic ignition ?

My 20 year old petronix started to play up when there was slightest bit of damp (even morning dew) before it broke down altogether a few months later.

Chad

Points or electronic ignition ?

My 20 year old petronix started to play up when there was slightest bit of damp (even morning dew) before it broke down altogether a few months later.

Chad

Points Chad. Thinking of going to a Pertronix 2 setup but can't afford it at the mo.

Could be point gap too small. Condenser or coil breaking down too.

Could be point gap too small. Condenser or coil breaking down too.

Thanks Shaggy. Will check that too.

Did you put a small smear of grease on the points lobe where it sits on the cam as they wear and close the gap.

Mark there is a vast range of things can cause startibg problems the first step is to check the spark and fuel delivery to check you have both neccasary things to start the burn.

An engine with a weak spark will still start or try and start.