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09-01-2023, 03:08 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
Posts: 18
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Original flathead with no spark
Hi everyone,
Recently, me and my father replaced the wires from the generator, as well as the main wire that goes to the coil. We were not experiencing spark before this, but we thought this would for sure work, since the old wires were shot. However, the car proved me wrong once again. When we got done with the wiring, still no spark! Oh, and for the testing of spark, we took a plug wire with a spark plug in it and just placed it on a head bolt. I don’t know if we’re doing something wrong? It’s the stock 6v system with the old school distributor. Our next plan is to take apart the distributor, but if we should do otherwise, please let me know! We gotta get this thing to spark!! Thanks, mr_charles |
09-01-2023, 03:13 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 3,964
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Have you checked the main wire for voltage reading to the coil to make sure you're getting power to the coil to start. Use a VO meter, you "should" have as close to 6V at the coil lug as possible. Also will help with advice on the next move.
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09-01-2023, 03:22 PM | #3 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
No, we have not checked that yet.
We just left the house but we’ll definitely check it when we go back in a few days. Thanks! |
09-01-2023, 05:34 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Perhaps I missed it but, what year engine are you working on?
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09-01-2023, 08:28 PM | #5 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
Posts: 18
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
It’s a 39’ ford. it was rebuilt in the 60’s but it’s practically original
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09-02-2023, 09:12 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Glens Falls NY
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
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09-03-2023, 07:32 AM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Texas
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Several things:
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09-04-2023, 10:49 AM | #8 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
Posts: 18
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
OK, me and my pops just went to work on it again and we made some progress. We tested the coil wire, it works. We tested the actual coil itself, it works. We got the distributor out and saw that the points looked decently corroded. So, now the next step is to clean the points inside the distributor. Problem is, we don’t know how to do that! Oh, and before I forget, the distributor is the old school ‘scuba mask’ style.
So, the overall question I’m trying to ask now is, how do we clean the points on the inside of the distributor? (Thank you all for your help!) (and to answer your question 38 coupe, the distributor has not been worked on since the 60s, and the points have not seen electricity since about 50 years ago) Last edited by mr_charles; 09-04-2023 at 11:05 AM. |
09-04-2023, 11:14 AM | #9 |
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Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Chicago
Posts: 732
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
These distributors are unique, designed to be timed on a machine. I never attempt to work on the distributor myself. And if yours has not functioned in 50 years, it needs to be rebuilt. Not that expensive. Suggest you send it out to Third Generation or CharlieNY. They have the expertise and the timing machine.
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09-04-2023, 01:47 PM | #10 |
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Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Columbus, IN
Posts: 1,407
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Note, when you go to reinstall the distributor, the drive tang on the distributor is offset to one side. You can remove the coil to see what things look like inside.
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09-04-2023, 08:50 PM | #11 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Texas
Posts: 1,631
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
I would completely disassemble, clean, lubricate, etc. a distributor that has been sitting for 50 years.
You may need new points depending on how corroded the points are, both the contacts and the spring strips that hold the points shut. These distributors are not that difficult to work on, the parts are just in a different order than you are used to. Let us know if you want to tackle it yourself, or if you want to send it off for professional help. |
09-04-2023, 09:05 PM | #12 |
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Thanks for the replies everyone. We took the distributor apart a little earlier today, and sanded as well as cleaned all of the points. Let’s just say we can see brass now, and all of the points/connections are much cleaner than they were before. We plan on going back next weekend to reinstall the distributor, and try and check for spark again. Thank you everyone for your help, it is all deeply appreciated Stay tuned for when we get it reinstalled!
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09-04-2023, 10:08 PM | #13 |
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Location: Oregon
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
If you have a volt ohm meter you can check to see if the points are making contact when closed before going to the trouble of reinstalling it on the engine.
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09-05-2023, 07:28 AM | #14 |
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Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Jacksonville FL
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
MR Charles
As Zeke3 pointed out, note that the key way on the back side of the distributor is "OFFSET" SO it might be easier for you to get a couple of 5/16-18 X 1-1/2 bolts and cut the head off just under the head. THEN thread those into the one top bolt hole and the one bolt opposite that hole, then you can slide the distributor up to the engine block, use your two thumbs on each side of the distributor opening and push it up against the block as you use your thumbs to rotate the rotor, you will feel the distributor click into place (It will also be flush to the block). THEN you can install one of the original bolts into the third bolt hole and hold it in place while replacing the two "helper" studs you make!!!! I made me a set for this purpose although embellishing them a bit to make them more user friendly, even more so since this picture!!! |
09-05-2023, 10:54 AM | #15 |
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
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The only thing nice about being imperfect is the joy it brings to others.... "Silver rings, your butt! Them's washers!" "We shot our way out of that town for a dollar's worth of steel holes!" - from 'The Wild Bunch' - 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NReUd2_0u0 |
09-10-2023, 12:33 PM | #16 |
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
Posts: 18
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Hi again everyone,
We went back to the old girl today and reinstalled the (as far as we know) clean distributor to try and test for spark. So, we turned the key and ignition switch and hit the go button when nothing happened at first, but when we switched the plug and plug wires, we got ONE SINGULAR SPARK… but unfortunately after that, we never saw spark again. What should we do now? Like I said, we got one single spark, but after that even when we tried different plug wires with different plugs, nothing happened. The spark plugs are 50+ years old so maybe they’re shot? We don’t really know what to do next besides: new plugs, OR try and clean the old distributor again, OR honestly just send the old distributor in and get a nicer rebuilt one. Let me know what you guys think! Thanks, mr_charles |
09-10-2023, 03:17 PM | #17 |
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Location: Jacksonville FL
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Mr_Charles
You still have not said what voltage you are getting at the coil lug? With that said, you haven’t mentioned whether you have replaced the condenser OR if you are working with the original condenser?? Where it mine, I would pull your distributor and box it up and send it to Michael at Third Gen Auto or Charlie NY and have them rebuild and set your distributor up on their Sun Machine for you, that way you know you are working from a “solid” foundation from the start. Also IF you haven’t gotten a new condenser, do so!! Third, it is important to know what voltage you are working with at the coil BOTH before you crank the motor AND while you are cranking the motor, this will tell you IF the coil has what it needs to operate correctly. Fourth, IF you have the stock Ford Coil, while your distributor is being serviced, box your coil up and send that to Skip Haney if Punta Gorda Fl and have him work his magic on that, another piece of the puzzle you will know 100% you are working with a solid foundation. JMO Also, as a. aside, IF you choose CharlieNY go ahead and buy yourself some insurance and send your carburetor and fuel pump as well……Charlie is the man and he will get all three 100% good to go, set up and 100% ready to run!!!! You will not be sorry, you will be pleased you did and you will have a concrete foundation for a good running flathead!!! Last edited by rockfla; 09-11-2023 at 07:04 AM. |
09-12-2023, 10:18 AM | #18 |
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Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
OK, so as far as I know, we are working with the original condenser, and we tested the coil lug and it’s getting just under 6 volts as it should, so the coil is working fine. It just has to be the distributor, even though we cleaned it to the best of our ability, like I said we only got one spark out of it so we should probably either clean it again or send it in for a replacement or get it rebuilt.
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10-15-2023, 09:23 PM | #19 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Des Plaines, IL.
Posts: 18
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Hi again everyone!
I don’t know if you all will see this, but I just have a quick question regarding the flathead spark. Does the generator need to be spinning when cranking to generate the spark for the plugs? I heard something about this somewhere but I don’t know if it’s true. I’m asking this question because I cut the old fan-belt which turned the generator, so would that possibly affect the flatty getting no spark? |
10-15-2023, 11:00 PM | #20 | |
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
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Re: Original flathead with no spark
Quote:
Time to heed the good advice given concerning distributor rebuild and condenser check/ replacement. Phil NZ |
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