The Ford Barn

jerrytocci · 03-10-2024, 05:24 PM

Cranks over good but will not fire. Removed cap, body and rotor and loosened cam. turned ignition switch on and rotated cam by hand and heard snap from cowl area. Any ideas?

Y-Blockhead · 03-10-2024, 05:32 PM

Look for carbon tracking on the coil and clean off the coil insulator. Spin the engine over when it is dark and look for sparks. Sounds like your sparks are going directly to ground at the coil.

nkaminar · 03-10-2024, 07:11 PM

Jerry, There are two ways to check for a spark without loosening the cam. If the points are open use a screw driver to short across the points and then remove it. If the points are closed, open the points with your finger or some insulated object like a piece of wood or plastic.

Synchro909 · 03-10-2024, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Jerry, There are two ways to check for a spark without loosening the cam. If the points are open use a screw driver to short across the points and then remove it. If the points are closed, open the points with your finger or some insulated object like a piece of wood or plastic.

While holding a plug lead!!!

jerrytocci · 03-10-2024, 10:00 PM

I know the screwdriver method. I asked what would make a snap by the firewall. Tomorrow I am going to give Blockheads theory a run.

Y-Blockhead · 03-10-2024, 10:28 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Synchro909

While holding a plug lead!!!

That's what wife/girl friend is for...

Canton_Model_A's · 03-11-2024, 10:16 AM

It will only hurt for a second. And maybe give you some curly hair for the same amount of time

(laughing)

nkaminar · 03-11-2024, 12:15 PM

Jerry, Also check to see that the high tension lead has not slipped down in the coil. Or that it has moved out of the distributor cap.

I don't know what kind of ignition switch you have but depending on that you may be getting a jump from the end of the cable that runs from the instrument panel to the distributor.

ronn · 03-11-2024, 03:24 PM

That's what wife/girl friend is for...

so youre on number 4? lol

jerrytocci · 03-11-2024, 03:37 PM

UPDATE...The distributor shaft was caked with rust and would not move. It had popped out of the drive gear just enough to not turn. I don't get it. It fine the day before. I can only guess it is from running with no hood sides in Florida. Thanks to all and yes...it only zaps for a second

Synchro909 · 03-11-2024, 04:07 PM

Rust on the upper distributor shaft is VERY common in a Model A. It is caused by condensation in the engine and short running.
I suggest a new shaft after inspecting to make sure no damage was done to the tangs and grooves that drive everything from the camshaft drive gear directly below the distributor and the distributor itself.
Even removing the rust from your current shaft might be enough. I've done that, then used an aerosol can of spray on galvanising paint.

03-10-2024, 05:24 PM	#1
jerrytocci Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 235	Ran great yesterday Cranks over good but will not fire. Removed cap, body and rotor and loosened cam. turned ignition switch on and rotated cam by hand and heard snap from cowl area. Any ideas?

03-10-2024, 05:32 PM	#2
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Ran great yesterday Look for carbon tracking on the coil and clean off the coil insulator. Spin the engine over when it is dark and look for sparks. Sounds like your sparks are going directly to ground at the coil.

03-10-2024, 07:11 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Ran great yesterday Jerry, There are two ways to check for a spark without loosening the cam. If the points are open use a screw driver to short across the points and then remove it. If the points are closed, open the points with your finger or some insulated object like a piece of wood or plastic. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-10-2024, 10:00 PM	#5
jerrytocci Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 235	Re: Ran great yesterday I know the screwdriver method. I asked what would make a snap by the firewall. Tomorrow I am going to give Blockheads theory a run.

03-11-2024, 10:16 AM	#7
Canton_Model_A's Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Canton, Michigan Posts: 118	Re: Ran great yesterday It will only hurt for a second. And maybe give you some curly hair for the same amount of time (laughing) __________________ --------------------------------------- 1929 Model A Tudor "Stay away from negative people, they have a problem for every solution" Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Motor City A's Club

03-11-2024, 12:15 PM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Ran great yesterday Jerry, Also check to see that the high tension lead has not slipped down in the coil. Or that it has moved out of the distributor cap. I don't know what kind of ignition switch you have but depending on that you may be getting a jump from the end of the cable that runs from the instrument panel to the distributor. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

03-11-2024, 03:24 PM	#9
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,791	Re: Ran great yesterday That's what wife/girl friend is for... so youre on number 4? lol

03-11-2024, 03:37 PM	#10
jerrytocci Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Posts: 235	Re: Ran great yesterday UPDATE...The distributor shaft was caked with rust and would not move. It had popped out of the drive gear just enough to not turn. I don't get it. It fine the day before. I can only guess it is from running with no hood sides in Florida. Thanks to all and yes...it only zaps for a second

03-11-2024, 04:07 PM	#11
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Ran great yesterday Rust on the upper distributor shaft is VERY common in a Model A. It is caused by condensation in the engine and short running. I suggest a new shaft after inspecting to make sure no damage was done to the tangs and grooves that drive everything from the camshaft drive gear directly below the distributor and the distributor itself. Even removing the rust from your current shaft might be enough. I've done that, then used an aerosol can of spray on galvanising paint. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.