Coil Wiring - No Spark

[superstock2]

So I'm attempting to get my 2 liter swapped 1970 1600 running. I'm not sure when the swap was done and the wiring has definitely seen better days. I took a pic and am wondering if this is correctly wired and also wondering what voltages I should be seeing and where. From what you can see here, there is the black wire from the firewall that goes to the resistor. That wire is showing just under 12 volts. Then there is the woefully undersized black wire from the resistor to the coil which shows around 5.5 volts, and then the red wire to the Distributor which is basically showing nothing... Any help here is greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Tony

[Gregs672000]

I'm afraid I'm of no help with coil wiring anymore, since I don't have One! However, since you're new to the car and 311s, I might direct you to the Tech Wiki pages, specifically the downloadable manuals. I always find these good reading from front to back just to familiarize yourself with the car. Good luck!

[bikermike]

The wiring diagrams in the electrical section will be helpful in troubleshooting.

[JT68]

Its really pretty simple, but Nissan made it somewhat confusing:

1. 12V goes to one side of the resistor when ignition is "on/run". Originally black wire/white stripe. This is the "run" or normal operating circuit.

2. other side of resistor has a wire direct to coil positive This is the "run" or normal operating circuit.

3. coil negative goes straight to the distributor and points and condensor. No other connections. Typically plain black wire.
When the points are closed, the coil charges, when the points open the coil "fires"

4. 12V wire for "Start" goes to coil+ (or the resistor side connected to coil+) Originally black wire/white stripe with red band
If this wire is not connected, the engine won't want to fire while cranking, but may run when the key is "on/run"
(that is because the "run circuit" is dead while cranking)

If any of these terminals are dirty, corroded or, failing, starting and running will be unreliable.

[Curtis]

This will show you. Ignore the bottom bypass part.

http://kendo-usa.org/datsun/resistor_bypass.pdf

[superstock2]

Thanks for all the advice so far! Got a new coil and am going to do some trouble shooting this afternoon!