Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-13-2019, 10:02 PM   #1
jstrez5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 263
Default starting problems

39 flathead wont start the motor turns over but wont start i am not getting any spark to my plug wires where would be the first place to start looking the motor just quit a few back firings also i am getting gas to the carb any help would be appreciated thanks jim
jstrez5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2019, 01:05 AM   #2
cajunfirehawk
Senior Member
 
cajunfirehawk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ms GulfCoast
Posts: 238
Default Re: starting problems

a) have a firewall resistor, if so ck that
b) bad coil, ck that
c) wiring to one of the above, ck that
d) dizzy issues, ck that


Has to be one of those for no spark, IMHO
__________________
Regards,
Todd

1936 FORD Tudor Slantback


"cajunhotrodder" on instagram/youtube
cajunfirehawk is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 09-14-2019, 06:24 AM   #3
chap52
Senior Member
 
chap52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,771
Default Re: starting problems

If you have looked down the carb and pumped the throttle and saw gas spraying your good there.
Now You say that there is no spark at the plugs. Start backtracking from there. Remove the center coil wire from the coil a bit, is there spark there? If so it's in the distributor. Keep backtracking until you locate the last "hot" spot that has juice. Don't start ordering parts because "it may be" this or that. Unless you want to be like the rest of us and have a tote full of extra parts.
Keep us posted, and "Enjoy the adventure"... Chap
chap52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-14-2019, 11:42 AM   #4
G.M.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Florida and Penna.
Posts: 4,471
Default Re: starting problems

Send your coil and a few condensers to Skip Haney. He will rebuild
your coil and hot test the condensers. [email protected] G.M.
__________________
www.fordcollector.com
G.M. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 04:53 PM   #5
jstrez5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 263
Default Re: starting problems

Had a spare resistor so I replaced that. Spent a little more time with the spark plugs and I am getting a spark, but it is very inconsistent. After a couple tries at starting the engine sounds like it is about to start, but never fires up. Anyone else have any ideas?
jstrez5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-15-2019, 05:43 PM   #6
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: starting problems

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
You can try bypassing the resistor and see how it works. Take the wire that comes from the ignition switch and move it from the ignition side of the resistor to the coil side of the resistor (connected on on top the coil wire already there). You can run it for a short period of time to test it.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-16-2019, 09:46 PM   #7
jstrez5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 263
Default Re: starting problems

The problem was a bad condenser thanks guys for all your help till next time ? Jim s.
jstrez5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2019, 06:38 PM   #8
Gumpy
Senior Member
 
Gumpy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Sf bay area
Posts: 1,464
Default Re: starting problems

Its always a good idea to replace the points also..
__________________
"I believe God is managing affairs and that He doesn't need any advice from me. With God in Charge, I believe everything will work out for the best in the end. So what is there to worry about". Quote by Henry Ford
Gumpy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2019, 07:07 PM   #9
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: starting problems

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gumpy View Post
Its always a good idea to replace the points also..
He's right of course. In the course of going bad, the condenser usually loses capacitance, which leads to material transfer between the points. If you find you have a bad condenser, at least check the points and dress them with a points file if there is any deposition.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-17-2019, 07:16 PM   #10
Blastfromthepast
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: NY
Posts: 318
Default Re: starting problems

I agree with that. I had a similar problem and the points were dirty and the point gap was way off. I cleaned the points, adjusted them correctly and there was spark. Check your point gap.
Blastfromthepast is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-21-2019, 08:15 PM   #11
jstrez5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: PA
Posts: 263
Default Re: starting problems

i check the points and they are clean and set right thanks again. jim s.
jstrez5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:10 AM.