Chrysler 55hp condenser question

[eclipseturbors]

I didn't want to tag along in another post. I picked up a 1969 55 and a 73 55hp.. The 73 is in really good shape. So I put fuel to it and tried to start it. Smokes and the plugs are wet. I pulled the flywheel to inspect and found a badly corroded ground wire. Would this cause no spark? Also, I'd seen two point gap numbers. .015 and .020. Which one should I set them to?

 

[gm280]

USUALLY, the point gaps are set at 0.020". In fact a lot of engines has that marked somewhere on them. But I don't know about your specifically. I would suspect probably the same gap setting. As for corrosion, I would certainly remove and clean every connection to bright shiny metal and reconnect again. The condensers can be tested with a meter to see if they are good or shorted. More then likely they are good, but if you get the chance, I would buy a complete tune up kit or buy the parts individually and replace all of them just do to age. JMHO

 

[eclipseturbors]

The green in the picture is the bare wire that appears to be a ground wire. I'm soldering new ends on some new wire now to replace it. I'm curious to if this ground wire can cause no spark?

 

[jerryjerry05]

Depending on what's under the contact point?? that wire could be grounding out the system.
​BUT!! more than likely the corrosion on the points is stopping the fire.
Replace that wire anyway.

 

[eclipseturbors]

Replaced the wire, filed, and gapped the points. It started but ran pretty rough. I'm waiting on a carb kit now. There's hope! It wants to idle smooth, but then bucks pretty violently and dies. I can coax it to restart, but I figured the carb probably needs some love after sitting for a few years.