Hard starting
 

This will be long. I put a rebuilt motor in our car a couple days ago. The car had been a little hard to get running lately but it would come around eventually. It has a modern set of points which I have a hard time adjusting compared to originals. Nothing was changed in the electric system. Just put the new motor in. If I get lucky it will start but 99% of the time it won't. I have watched the diagnostic videos but can't come to a solid conclusion. With the key off I get 6 volts at both coil terminals. With the key on & the points closed ( not totally sure if they are as my eyes aren't the best) I still get 6 volts at both coil terminals. The video says the driver side terminal should have no reading. What then is this telling me? I can check circuit from the driver side coil terminal to the ignition switch cable button that plugs into the base of the distributor so I think the cable is good. Am I missing something here? Thanks.

Re: Hard starting
 

Search YouTube for ignition 101. Might help you understand it. Good luck.

Re: Hard starting
 

Thanks for the heads up. I watched his video from April 2021. This 101 helped remind me to follow the ground path. I hope to get to that tomorrow.

Re: Hard starting
 

check voltage at the points. With key on, one side of points should always stay at gnd, the other side should go to battery when open, gnd when closed. If not, then clean points.

Re: Hard starting
 

Yep, if you have voltage at points when they are closed then there is a bad contact. Try cleaning the points and check again. With points closed there should be a reading of 0v.

Re: Hard starting
 

Is point gap correct??
Paul in CT

Re: Hard starting
 

I replaced the points this afternoon. I tried to clean them but they seemed hardened so my point file wouldn't clean them. I'm leaning toward a bad ignition cable now. With the ignition switch on I don't have voltage at the black lead to the points from the bottom plate.

Re: Hard starting
 

The insulation in that cable does go bad at times. Remove the cable from the distributor and check for voltage while wiggling it.

Re: Hard starting
 

If'n the battery voltage drops too low during cranking, it won't fire. This can be caused by a poor (high resistance) connection somewhere, a bad starter that's drawing too much power, or a bad battery.

Re: Hard starting
 

Try this video. It may help you chase it down.
https://youtu.be/Yt3-FYfKOiM

Re: Hard starting
 

Rebuilt motor = paint in places that it shouldn't be ! Distributor to head ground path !

Re: Hard starting
 

You may be right Big Hammer. I do remember seeing paint in the distributor hole. I'll have to check that.

Re: Hard starting
 

I think I'm on the right track. I replaced the ignition cable & now the voltages appear when they are supposed to. I found that when I tried to get the cable into position to hold it down with the clamp on the head it lost circuit. It is still hard to start though. It's almost like it's not getting enough gas to start & then too much. The carb throat does get wet.

Re: Hard starting
 

The Barn comes through. After looking for why our sedan was hard to start, I was made aware of the problem. The starter mounting area was getting rust but the big problem was a totally painted surface where the starter mounts. Cleaned it to bare metal & now it starts much easier. Still needs break in time though.

Re: Hard starting
 

Glad you found it and posted the results.

Re: Hard starting
 

You might try a new battery. I had trouble starting with a limber engine .\, but a six year old battery. It started sometimes and at other times it wouldn't. A new battery installed made it all work properly.