The Ford Barn

wwirz · 06-23-2020, 07:43 PM

I went through the same issue for about 3 weeks. Good news is that I became an expert at timing. Tempted to put a YOUTUBE out there

Here is what I did which led to solving the problem:
1. Checked the timing.....multiple times and double checked locating the "dimple" with the pin and a mirror
2. Made sure all connections at the terminal block were snug and corrosion free
3. Had 6 volts at the terminals and both sides of the coil.
4. Replaced the coil
5. Replaced the condenser even though it was a week old
6. Of course I adjusted the point gap to .020
7. Gapped the rotor to distributor body to .025 all around
8. Made sure I had fuel to the carburetor

Still no start.

I dialed a friend and he said are you sure you are gapped at .020 and do you have fuel? I tried starting on starting fluid...no start. This convinced me I was not getting spark to the plugs....yes I check the spark out of the coil.

Had a buddy come over and sure enough I was not getting spark to the plugs

What it turned out to be was in fact the points. I did not gap them correctly...they were gapped at roughly .028.

Properly gapped at .020, the plugs fired. Re -assembled and the engine started. Good news is that I completely baselined the ignition system. Now I know what was replaced on such and such a date.

Good luck.....I will bet it is the point gap.

31 ford · 06-26-2020, 02:03 PM

Thank you all for your suggestions. Come to find out the rotor seems to be the problem along with the old original wire from the lower distributor plate that connects to the upper plate. Now it is starting up and running fine. Thank you all for the help. I really appreciate it.

30 Closed Cab PU · 06-26-2020, 07:16 PM

Thanks for letting us know what your found. For being simplified, tthe Model A can be challaging, especially via Internet troubleshooting.

daren007 · 06-26-2020, 09:03 PM

If you need starting fluid you are doing something wrong.

30 Closed Cab PU · 06-27-2020, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daren007

If you need starting fluid you are doing something wrong.

Very true, but is another quick way to know if the issue is fuel or spark. If no pop on starting fluid then it is electrical/ignition. I do it this way with lawn mowers, sometimes is enough to get fuel to draw through the carb and get crap out of the jets. I know the accepted way is to space a spark plug lead, which tells you the same thing. Different strokes for different folks.

Patrick L. · 06-27-2020, 03:47 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Wanna hear a couple 'starting fluid' stories ?

We had to fire a mechanic when I was young. He started a road service. We got a call for a no-start and when I arrived he was there [ stole the call somehow]. The mouth of the truck was open and he was waving the rosebud along the side of the block, a 318 Detroit, and there was a big ass bottle of 'starting fluid' bolted to the firewall. It was apparent the engine was ether bound. I grabbed the driver by arm and pulled him away just before the side of block let loose. It broke the nitwits arm in 3 places, blew the tire off the rim and I got the honor of taking this jerk to the hospital. I should also say the this jerks father worked for us for years, great mechanic and I learned a lot from him, good man.

Another time my friend called saying his welder won't start. When I got there it was apparent the head gasket was blown the way the engine was spinning over. Just knowing him I asked him how much ether he used. Knowing how much I dislike the stuff he of course said he didn't use any. I looked on the truck seat and there was a king sized can all bright and shiny. I gave him the look, got the engine running on half the cylinders and then had the nice job of changing the head gasket.

These are only two accounts, but, they are the memorial ones. There are a few more. This said, ether can have its place, a small place or small squirt. [smiley face]

06-23-2020, 07:43 PM	#21
wwirz Senior Member Join Date: May 2020 Location: Corning NY Posts: 244	Re: Will turn over but won't start I went through the same issue for about 3 weeks. Good news is that I became an expert at timing. Tempted to put a YOUTUBE out there Here is what I did which led to solving the problem: 1. Checked the timing.....multiple times and double checked locating the "dimple" with the pin and a mirror 2. Made sure all connections at the terminal block were snug and corrosion free 3. Had 6 volts at the terminals and both sides of the coil. 4. Replaced the coil 5. Replaced the condenser even though it was a week old 6. Of course I adjusted the point gap to .020 7. Gapped the rotor to distributor body to .025 all around 8. Made sure I had fuel to the carburetor Still no start. I dialed a friend and he said are you sure you are gapped at .020 and do you have fuel? I tried starting on starting fluid...no start. This convinced me I was not getting spark to the plugs....yes I check the spark out of the coil. Had a buddy come over and sure enough I was not getting spark to the plugs What it turned out to be was in fact the points. I did not gap them correctly...they were gapped at roughly .028. Properly gapped at .020, the plugs fired. Re -assembled and the engine started. Good news is that I completely baselined the ignition system. Now I know what was replaced on such and such a date. Good luck.....I will bet it is the point gap.

06-26-2020, 02:03 PM	#22
31 ford Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 39	Re: Will turn over but won't start Thank you all for your suggestions. Come to find out the rotor seems to be the problem along with the old original wire from the lower distributor plate that connects to the upper plate. Now it is starting up and running fine. Thank you all for the help. I really appreciate it.

06-26-2020, 07:16 PM	#23
30 Closed Cab PU Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2,332	Re: Will turn over but won't start Thanks for letting us know what your found. For being simplified, tthe Model A can be challaging, especially via Internet troubleshooting.

06-26-2020, 09:03 PM	#24
daren007 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Saint Cloud Mn Posts: 745	Re: Will turn over but won't start If you need starting fluid you are doing something wrong.

06-27-2020, 03:47 PM	#26
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Will turn over but won't start Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Wanna hear a couple 'starting fluid' stories ? We had to fire a mechanic when I was young. He started a road service. We got a call for a no-start and when I arrived he was there [ stole the call somehow]. The mouth of the truck was open and he was waving the rosebud along the side of the block, a 318 Detroit, and there was a big ass bottle of 'starting fluid' bolted to the firewall. It was apparent the engine was ether bound. I grabbed the driver by arm and pulled him away just before the side of block let loose. It broke the nitwits arm in 3 places, blew the tire off the rim and I got the honor of taking this jerk to the hospital. I should also say the this jerks father worked for us for years, great mechanic and I learned a lot from him, good man. Another time my friend called saying his welder won't start. When I got there it was apparent the head gasket was blown the way the engine was spinning over. Just knowing him I asked him how much ether he used. Knowing how much I dislike the stuff he of course said he didn't use any. I looked on the truck seat and there was a king sized can all bright and shiny. I gave him the look, got the engine running on half the cylinders and then had the nice job of changing the head gasket. These are only two accounts, but, they are the memorial ones. There are a few more. This said, ether can have its place, a small place or small squirt. [smiley face]