M20 engine wiring (cuts out when -ve removed from battery)

[Finny]

As many of you probably already know i have recently put an M20 in my 316i touring and i am having a problem with the engine only firing on five pots, the other day i removed the -ve connection from the battery whilst the engine was running and the engine died straight away.

I can remember that the car it was in before carried on running when -ve connection was removed and i checked this on my mates 2.5 and his did carry on running too.

Im thinking that i may have the wiring slightly wrong, firstly does anyone know if this is the case and if so what lead would be wrong?

Seccondly could this be causing poor ignition leading to my car only firing on five? The pot which is not firing is the one with the longest HT lead, could it be that the strength of the spark is reduced leading to non ignition in this cylinder?

There is a spark but not sure how i couldmeasure the strength.

Any help or suggestions greatly appriciated.

Cheers

[wildeian]

Have you checked your engine to chassis earth?

[Finny]

My engine to chassi earth could be bad actually, i havent got time at the minute to go back home due to my final year university commitments.

Could this be causing poor ignition?

Would it be that as it is only not firing on one cylinder?

Cheers

[wildeian]

Worth checking your leads, plugs, rotor arm and dizzy cap if you haven't already.

[Brianmoooore]

This thread already exists in "engine swaps". Please don't post the same query in multiple forums. It makes following the developments very confusing.