1968 Chev Chevelle natural safety switch
Asked by Guru92BTWS Sep 20, 2022 at 11:35 AM about the 1968 Chevrolet Chevelle SS Convertible RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Problem starting: new plugs, new plug wires, turns over correctly has new gas,
new condenser. Does not fire or attempt to start even with either sprayed in
carb. Pulled one plug could not get spark. could it be bad natural safety switch
and starter still crank engine.
8 Answers
beatupchevy answered about a year ago
Check for good grounds , motor to chassis etc. Check for power at the distributor .
No or the engine would not crank. You may have got a bad condenser or points. All that stuff is either China or Mexico made. Hopefully you can find a good uniset of Delco point assembly, if not then get the best set that NAPA has. Don’t forget to double check the point gap.
As you're not getting spark, if you still have a coil, have the coil tested. Or it might de a defective HEI system.
1968 did not have HEI, it was old school points and condenser.
Just a suggestion; I just thought he might have converted to a HEI system..... BTW: the neutral safety switch has nothing to do with ignition. It prevents the starter motor from receiving juice, and this engine turns over.
Yes, it's not the neutral safety switch. If it were the engine would not crank. Also check the wiring down by the starter. You might have a bad connection there. See if you have power at the ignition coil. You should have 6 to 8 volts with the ignition switch on. If you don't, see if you have power at the ignition switch. To remove and check the ignition switch remove the ignition lock cylinder by pushing a paper clip into the little hole in the face of the lock cylinder. Now insert the ignition key and turn it counterclockwise to the accessory position. You'll need to push in and turn at the same time. The lock cylinder will turn past the accessory position and then you can remove it with the key still inserted. Now unscrew the ignition switch bezel and, working behind the dash, remove the ignition switch with the wiring harness plug attached. Unplug the wires and you should have 12 volts at one of the terminals on the plug. If you don't, the problem is between the starter and the ignition switch. If you do, the problem is between the ignition switch and the ignition coil, including the ignition switch. Hope that helps! Jim
Did you replace the points? You can adjust them with a matchbook cover to get the engine started. With the points open, on one of the bumps on the distributor shaft, insert your matchbook cover in between the open points. Using your allen wrench or screwdriver close the points until you feel a drag on the matchbook cover when you remove it. Once you get the engine running make the final adjustment with the vacuum advance hose disconnected and plugged, the parking brake set, and the engine idling in drive at normal operating temperature using a dwell meter. Set the points to 30°. GM said 28 to 32 degrees was good but I always set my GMs to 30° and they always ran great. Hope that helps! Jim
