The Ford Barn

Patrick L. · 09-15-2014, 03:34 PM

A fella dragged an A to the house because he installed a new repo distributor and he could not get it running.
I didn't think much of it, it was installed correctly, so, I made sure the points were clean and set, everything was tight and looked as though it should, timed it, and, away it went. Adjust the idle mix a bit and away he went.
He came back 3 days later saying it quit on him several times every day. He said if he played with the 'levers' it would eventually start.
It was running and I couldn't find anything wrong, I tugged and wiggled everything. Took it for a ride and it quit. I moved the spark lever while cranking and off it went.
Pulled the new distributor apart and the only thing I thought might be an issue was the points wire connection was such that it might contact the spring. I tugged and pulled on the primary lead between the plates[ condenser to points] and it appeared to open at times. I resoldered those ends and stuck everything together. It didn't quit for me and apparently hasn't quit on him again.
I didn't like the points contact, so, a little file work on one plate hole and they fit/meet as they should.
But, this story is just for info, just in case. If the monster quits on him again, I'll let you know.

SeaSlugs · 09-15-2014, 04:16 PM

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I hate tracking down bad solder joints that cause intermittent issues... glad you troubleshot it correctly instead of just throwing parts at it!

09-15-2014, 03:34 PM	#1
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Primary lead, just a heads up A fella dragged an A to the house because he installed a new repo distributor and he could not get it running. I didn't think much of it, it was installed correctly, so, I made sure the points were clean and set, everything was tight and looked as though it should, timed it, and, away it went. Adjust the idle mix a bit and away he went. He came back 3 days later saying it quit on him several times every day. He said if he played with the 'levers' it would eventually start. It was running and I couldn't find anything wrong, I tugged and wiggled everything. Took it for a ride and it quit. I moved the spark lever while cranking and off it went. Pulled the new distributor apart and the only thing I thought might be an issue was the points wire connection was such that it might contact the spring. I tugged and pulled on the primary lead between the plates[ condenser to points] and it appeared to open at times. I resoldered those ends and stuck everything together. It didn't quit for me and apparently hasn't quit on him again. I didn't like the points contact, so, a little file work on one plate hole and they fit/meet as they should. But, this story is just for info, just in case. If the monster quits on him again, I'll let you know.

09-15-2014, 04:16 PM	#2
SeaSlugs Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central, IL Posts: 3,968	Re: Primary lead, just a heads up Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I hate tracking down bad solder joints that cause intermittent issues... glad you troubleshot it correctly instead of just throwing parts at it! __________________ 1929 Model AA - Need long splash aprons!