Engine not starting and no oil light on after engine installation

[SpawnyWhippet]

I just reinstalled my 1972 T engine as per the Wayne Dempsey book, and turned the engine over (electrics and fuel disconnected) for 30 secs 3 or 4 times to circulate and build oil pressure around the engine. All looks fine, no leaks from anywhere, oil pressure gauge shows 60 whilst spinning, but no oil light is on. The oil light worked before the engine was pulled out and still works when I apply the parking brake, so the bulb is OK.

Tried to go for a real start, but the engine is not showing any interest in firing up. What is the most likely cause, and could the non-starting be linked to the oil light not coming on, ie is there a 'no oil pressure' circuit that prevents the engine from firing up?

I connected my timing light and it does not strobe, so likely no sparks. Checked my Bosch ignition coil was correctly connected, the earth is connected to terminal '1' and the other 'A' terminal to the green and yellow wire that runs to the ignition box. What is the best way to check the coil is being asked to spark?

[SpawnyWhippet]

I found the problem - the black / purple wire from the ignition box was not properly attached to the distributor. Connected that and it fired right up. Just doing the initial 20 mins 2000rpm run then an oil change.

(Lucky for me its 2000rpm, as tick-over is 2000 rpm right now until the MFI is correctly adjusted.)

[edmayo]

Unless you've changed gauges the 72 does not have an oil pressure light, that is just the handbrake and/or brake circuit failure light. i would also be amazed that you're getting 60 psi of oil pressure at starter motor speed, did you change the oil pressure sender?

[SpawnyWhippet]

Thanks, that cleared up some worries. Before the rebuild I just remembered it to have a red light coming on when at low revs and hot, which cleared when you revved it. Must have been the alternator light at the bottom.

I haven't changed the sender, but the readings seem to be not too far off what I saw before the rebuild, ie high readings when cold, dropping to 40psi when running at 2000rpm and warm. Before the rebuild it would drop to 10-20psi at 2000rpm and warm.