Old Mustang electrical issues?

Took the '66 out for the first time on Sat. Fired up pretty quick, let it warm up 15 minutes or so and made sure it was full of fluids. Ran to the gas station and topped off with fresh premium. Took off for a nice drive, car was running good for 20 minutes or so. Then I started to get a stumble in first and 2nd down low, figured it was old gas and needed to run it more, if I got the revs up it seemed fine but it got worse to the point that I had a ‘rattle’ develop and it was coming from the engine so I sort of freaked and got it home and shut it off.
I rechecked and the fluids were fine. Fired it up a couple of times to listen to the ‘rattle ‘ and it was there. Now I can’t get the car started, cranks and is getting gas but won’t catch and fire. It appears I’m not getting any spark from a spark plug boot to the frame. I can’t see a spark anyway. Is there a trick?
I hate electrical, it's all devil's magic as far as I'm concerned, so I’ll probably have to have it hauled in. Thoughts? I checked basic bonehead stuff like dist cap on tight and coil wire and plug wires are on and in place and not burned etc. Byond that and I’m worthless with eletrical.
Mallory Uni-Lite dist, wonder if that crapped out? Don’t have a clue, don't own a meter.

If anyone could give me a few things to fiddle with this afternoon that would be great.

Trace the power wire from the coil all the way back to the battery and make sure no connection is loose and your terminals arent corroded. Sometimes there is a fuse cut into the wire to protect the aftermarket parts.

Sounds like something in the ignition system: ignition coil, or ignition module.

Well, later this afternoon I'll trace it all back and see what i see.

I had the optical sensor on my Unilite crap out. Expensive little bugger. Exchanged the Mallory out for all MSD. Do you have spark from the coil to distributor? Are you using an ignition box with the Unilite? Trace power from battery to spark plug.

If you own an older vehicle, get yourself a multimeter even if it's a cheap one. Learn how to use it because it'll save your sanity diagnosing electrical problems. My .02

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Originally Posted by KS63

If you own an older vehicle, get yourself a multimeter even if it's a cheap one. Learn how to use it because it'll save your sanity diagnosing electrical problems. My .02

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+110

You cannot effectivly troubleshoot electrical problems without one. Even simple tests like a continuity check, which you can buy a dedicated tool for, are part of a multimeter. It can give you so much more information, like if you are getting the full 12v or just 8v for some reason.

Distributor shifted?
Drive pin sheared?
The power loss and rattle makes me think timing shifted somehow and now it is too far out of time to fire.
Call me Robb, I know old Fords quite well and can slide by.

Points Distributor? Electronic?

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Originally Posted by BPTactical

Call me Robb

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OK. Hi Robb.

Is it electronic or the old points? Sounds to me like your points are bad.

Said it was a unilite. I run the Crane XR but always have a set of points in the glove box. Set with a matchbook cover and off ya go. [Flower] I am leaning to a crapped out sensor in the unilite as well.

Pull the coil wire off the cap, pinch the conductor metal tip of it between finger and thumb, then have someone turn the key.
You will know which way to start troubleshooting........

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Originally Posted by Ah Pook

OK. Hi Robb.

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Oohhh aren't you the crafty one?

Thanks for the replys. Finally got to tinker yesterday afternoon after family obligations and cookouts etc but accomplished little. FYI, no points, it's electronic and yes I've made the mistake of not disconnecting the dist when someone did some welding on the car in the past, damn Unilites are delicate. I've been thinking about swapping for something else. I'm sorry I didn't check this post yesterday afternoon, it would have given me a few more things to look at, and if it wouldn't have been a holiday I would have had you over Bert.
I'll get into it again tonight after work.

Like Bert mentioned Timing, possible chain issue, OR dist came loose.

The offer is open Robb.

Shot you a PM Bert

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Originally Posted by Robb

Shot you a PM Bert

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Returned fire!

FORD, That is all.

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Originally Posted by Mtn.man

FORD, That is all.

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Are they the ones who Circle the problem?[LOL]