The Ford Barn

mb_camper · 09-15-2019, 08:12 AM

Hello, I am brand new to this forum as well as flatheads so please bare with me.

I have a 1946 Super Deluxe with (as near as I can tell) somewhere between a 49 and 53 flathead 8 in it. The car runs and drives but seems to me to have weak spark and lately has been hit or miss when I try to start it. I measure around 3-4 volts at the coil with the points open and in my research have come to understand that is about correct for the 46 flatty due to a condenser under the dash but only for a couple of model years. I also have a condenser that is mounted on the firewall next tot eh voltage regulator. My question is this, if my motor was originally intended for later model vehicle that would not be equipped with the under dash condenser, does the coil want to see the full 6 volts? Additionally what purpose does the firewall mounted condenser serve? Any help would be appreciated, like I say I am new to this vintage vehicle so please be gentle!

I suppose I should add that is a stock 6 volt pos ground set up.

09-15-2019, 08:12 AM	#1
mb_camper Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 16	Weak Spark Hello, I am brand new to this forum as well as flatheads so please bare with me. I have a 1946 Super Deluxe with (as near as I can tell) somewhere between a 49 and 53 flathead 8 in it. The car runs and drives but seems to me to have weak spark and lately has been hit or miss when I try to start it. I measure around 3-4 volts at the coil with the points open and in my research have come to understand that is about correct for the 46 flatty due to a condenser under the dash but only for a couple of model years. I also have a condenser that is mounted on the firewall next tot eh voltage regulator. My question is this, if my motor was originally intended for later model vehicle that would not be equipped with the under dash condenser, does the coil want to see the full 6 volts? Additionally what purpose does the firewall mounted condenser serve? Any help would be appreciated, like I say I am new to this vintage vehicle so please be gentle! I suppose I should add that is a stock 6 volt pos ground set up.