The Ford Barn

Ryan44mn · 11-24-2023, 02:29 PM

Hello, have a 39 flathead with a helmet distributor, no spark. On inspection, I noticed a gap if roughly 3/8" between coil, and rotor.
Seems wrong to me. I attached a picture showing the gap.

Lawrie · 11-24-2023, 02:45 PM

The carbon brush must touch the rotor, sometimes they get stuck in the spring.
Lawrie

FlatheadTed · 11-24-2023, 03:13 PM

X 2 .The points look pretty crusty to from what i can see,The whole unit may need setting up by Michael 3rd Gen is one of the go to guys ..You can sand the points to get you going .

petehoovie · 11-24-2023, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan44mn

Hello, have a 39 flathead with a helmet distributor, no spark. On inspection, I noticed a gap if roughly 3/8" between coil, and rotor.
Seems wrong to me. I attached a picture showing the gap.

Terry,OH · 11-25-2023, 08:48 AM

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There is a very light spring behind the carbon brush that pushes the brush toward the rotor. The hole has to be clean for the brush and spring to work properly. Old coils can leak a tar like substance into this area. If there is the gooey tar the coil has most likely overheated reducing it's useful life. The brush and spring are available from the usual suppliers.

11-24-2023, 02:45 PM	#2
Lawrie Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Qld, Australia Posts: 4,229	Re: 39 helmet distributor no spark The carbon brush must touch the rotor, sometimes they get stuck in the spring. Lawrie

11-24-2023, 03:13 PM	#3
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,709	Re: 39 helmet distributor no spark X 2 .The points look pretty crusty to from what i can see,The whole unit may need setting up by Michael 3rd Gen is one of the go to guys ..You can sand the points to get you going . __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

11-25-2023, 08:48 AM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,775	Re: 39 helmet distributor no spark Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There is a very light spring behind the carbon brush that pushes the brush toward the rotor. The hole has to be clean for the brush and spring to work properly. Old coils can leak a tar like substance into this area. If there is the gooey tar the coil has most likely overheated reducing it's useful life. The brush and spring are available from the usual suppliers.