Need a strong spark.

[james hitchcock]

Been trying to get Ol Walter started after a winter slumber. I cant get a good spark. I'm getting a little when the points open. But no nice blue spark at the plugs. Battery charged, newer distributor with internal condenser. Had been fine last year. Where should I start ?

[Purdy Swoft]

Sand the points and adjust the gap if necessary Factory specs for points gap is anywhere from eighteen to twenty two thousants .

[ryanheacox]

+1 on cleaning up the points

[verrece]

see the condenser
regards

[Patrick L.]

I think Purdy and Ryan have the answer. Some oxidation after a winter slumber is common.

[Gary WA]

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Walter agrees on the above! But how's your battery?

[Purdy Swoft]

Sometimes a weak six volt battery won't have the power to run the starter and fire the ignition at the same time . At such times I will use the hand crank to start the engine and let the generator charge the battery a bit .

[Dave in MN]

Good point Purdy!
I usually start by cleaning all the connections in the junction box, under the dash, connection to generator and to the starter connection. This is in addition to filing the points and checking the distributor connections.
Good Day!

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Purdy Swoft

Sometimes a weak six volt battery won't have the power to run the starter and fire the ignition at the same time . At such times I will use the hand crank to start the engine and let the generator charge the battery a bit .

Purdy,
You must be STROOOONG!!
Bill Wimp

[Purdy Swoft]

It really doesn't take a lot of strength to hand crank the model A . I get it on compression stroke and lift up .

[Tom Wesenberg]

Most likely the points just need to be cleaned. You can prove this by stopping the engine with the points open, then turn the key on and short the points contacts on and off with a screwdriver while holding the coil wire 1/4" from a head nut. If you now get a good strong blue spark, then you know the condenser and wiring is good.


After several points cleanings, mine still didn't start one time when using the starter, but it fired right up on the first pull UP with the hand crank. Then everything was fine after running the engine for 2 minutes.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

Most likely the points just need to be cleaned. You can prove this by stopping the engine with the points open, then turn the key on and short the points contacts on and off with a screwdriver while holding the coil wire 1/4" from a head nut. If you now get a good strong blue spark, then you know the condenser and wiring is good.


After several points cleanings, mine still didn't start one time when using the starter, but it fired right up on the first pull UP with the hand crank. Then everything was fine after running the engine for 2 minutes.

Replace a rail screw with a tiny red light. Wire it to the POSITIVE coil wire & the other wire to a ground. THEN, you'll know if you have SPARK!!
Bill Flashing