Distributor Problem

[Cape Codder]

I am having a problem keeping car running. I have worked it down to the distributor so I changed with a known working distributor which runs well. Put original one back in and car will quite. I have checked the points and they are gaped to .020 and also the pigtail wire which has a good connection on both ends and not frayed. With key on, spark retarded I put a Volt meter to the moving part of the points and reads 6.3 V. If I move the spark to advance I have 0.3 V. With everything like above where could the short be? Or is this an indication the condenser is bad?

[Mike Peters]

So you are saying that it starts on retard, but quits running when you advance the spark to run? If so, your upper plate pig tail connection is probably shorting out against the distributor body as you advance the spark to run. Check the clearance. Any rubbing of that upper connection will kill your spark.

[Cape Codder]

Has already been checked as indicated above "and also the pigtail wire which has a good connection on both ends and not frayed".

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Has already been checked as indicated above "and also the pigtail wire which has a good connection on both ends and not frayed".

Try swapping the condenser in problem distributor from the good distributor.


Also if you make/break the points and get a very bright spark, and a snapping sound, it can indicate a bad condenser.

[Bob C]

Are you sure the flag terminal is not shorting to the distributor body when you advance.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

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Is your FAT cable screwed too far into the distributor??
Bill W .

[Tom Endy]

The connection where the lug on the wire connects to the threaded stud on the moveable points is probably what is shorting out. When you install the lug and tighten the nut the lug should be facing inboard. After the nut is tight bend the lug so it stands vertical.


When the distributor is assembled, place a business card between the points. Connect the leads of an ohm meter, one to the arm of the points, the other to the casting ground. There should be no reading on the ohm meter as you move the spark lever to both extremes. If there is the lug is shorting to the casting.


Tom Endy

[Cape Codder]

30 Closed Cab PU I have your suggestion in the back of my mine but want to run it a while to see if I found the fix.

BILL WILLIAMSON I guess you mean not all the way in. I usually have a couple of threads showing and call it good.

Tom Endy We checked with an ohm meter as you suggested after we found the lug just touching.

Well it seems the problem is solved. Although , like I said before the pig tail was fine at both ends as far as the connections and also bent correctly. How ever when rechecking the suggestions that were printed I found that that the attachment to the bottom of the points was just touching the upper plate. We put everything together and really runs well! Happy camper I am.

Again thanks to you all for your suggestions and comments.

[30 Closed Cab PU]

Thanks for letting us know what you found - Good news!