The Ford Barn

gulfoil · 05-17-2020, 12:34 PM

On the 29 Model A I have a reoccurring problem. There is no fire at the points. Wires are clean, grounds are good, coil is hot, condenser is good. Yet last night it ran great, this morning no fire at the points. Yesterday I went through the distributor and all is fine. I pulled the distributor and ran it on a test engine and had the same problem. Took another distributor and put it in the car, same problem so I suspected the shielded cable. It is fine, and makes good contact, not shorting out. Then, it starts working again later on, no reason. I am running the distributor that has an acorn nut on the plate instead of the little wire that often gives trouble. All my points of contact are good. Replaced points, condenser all the guts. Same problem.

Any ideas? Thanks for the assistance!
Mike Royster

Jim/GA · 05-17-2020, 12:41 PM

The problem is probably the little acorn nut and brass strip that it rubs against not making good contact. You are better off with the fine-strand wire sold for this purpose.

gulfoil · 05-17-2020, 12:46 PM

Hi Jim, I have run these for years and no problems, and it is making really good contact. Other ideas?

Jim/GA · 05-17-2020, 12:48 PM

Try a new condenser.

In fact, try 2 new condensers if the first new one does not fix it.

abachman3 · 05-17-2020, 12:51 PM

Since the problem seems to be somewhat intermittent, it is in the movement of something electrical.. such as the acorn nut making/not making contact. wiring that is not quite securely fastened as it should be...

gulfoil · 05-17-2020, 12:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Solved!!!!! I was reading a post from several days ago and the fellow stated the shielded cable was shorting out his car. So I started backing out the cable while watching the points and BAM, spark reappeared.

Thanks to all that post their experiences and offer assistance!

trubble · 05-17-2020, 01:24 PM

I have the same issue. My quick fix is split a straw or tube and slip it over the cable wire. This stopped the short for now but I'll need the new cable.
Question is "which cable?". I'm seeing several types. What say you?

05-17-2020, 12:34 PM	#1
gulfoil Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 14	No fire at the points On the 29 Model A I have a reoccurring problem. There is no fire at the points. Wires are clean, grounds are good, coil is hot, condenser is good. Yet last night it ran great, this morning no fire at the points. Yesterday I went through the distributor and all is fine. I pulled the distributor and ran it on a test engine and had the same problem. Took another distributor and put it in the car, same problem so I suspected the shielded cable. It is fine, and makes good contact, not shorting out. Then, it starts working again later on, no reason. I am running the distributor that has an acorn nut on the plate instead of the little wire that often gives trouble. All my points of contact are good. Replaced points, condenser all the guts. Same problem. Any ideas? Thanks for the assistance! Mike Royster

05-17-2020, 12:41 PM	#2
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,815	Re: No fire at the points The problem is probably the little acorn nut and brass strip that it rubs against not making good contact. You are better off with the fine-strand wire sold for this purpose. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

05-17-2020, 12:46 PM	#3
gulfoil Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 14	Re: No fire at the points Hi Jim, I have run these for years and no problems, and it is making really good contact. Other ideas?

05-17-2020, 12:48 PM	#4
Jim/GA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Young Harris, GA Posts: 1,815	Re: No fire at the points Try a new condenser. In fact, try 2 new condensers if the first new one does not fix it. __________________ Jim Cannon Former MAFCA Technical Director "Have a Model A day!"

05-17-2020, 12:51 PM	#5
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 323	Re: No fire at the points Since the problem seems to be somewhat intermittent, it is in the movement of something electrical.. such as the acorn nut making/not making contact. wiring that is not quite securely fastened as it should be...

05-17-2020, 12:53 PM	#6
gulfoil Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 14	Re: No fire at the points Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Solved!!!!! I was reading a post from several days ago and the fellow stated the shielded cable was shorting out his car. So I started backing out the cable while watching the points and BAM, spark reappeared. Thanks to all that post their experiences and offer assistance!

05-17-2020, 01:24 PM	#7
trubble Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yelm Washington. Posts: 8	Re: No fire at the points I have the same issue. My quick fix is split a straw or tube and slip it over the cable wire. This stopped the short for now but I'll need the new cable. Question is "which cable?". I'm seeing several types. What say you?