Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-29-2019, 04:52 PM   #1
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default No spark?

I rebuilt the engine (59A) in my tow truck. It ran pretty good before I pulled it but now, I have no spark. Points are new and set at 15 thou, cap and rotor are new as are the plugs. I had no spark using the condenser that was in it before so I replaced the condenser and still no spark. I had required the truck so, to eliminate any issues there, I ran a jumper wire from the coil to the negative on the battery, no spark. Battery is fully charged and it turns over very well. I'm out of ideas. What am I missing??.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 05:00 PM   #2
Don
Senior Member
 
Don's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ashland KY
Posts: 1,159
Default Re: No spark?

Did you get slot in cam engaged into dist when installing,remove one side of dist,and crank engine,look to see if rotor is turning!!
__________________
DON P
Don is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-29-2019, 05:23 PM   #3
flatjack9
Senior Member
 
flatjack9's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oshkosh, Wi
Posts: 4,516
Default Re: No spark?

Is your system positive ground? If so you need to connect the distributor to the positive terminal on the battery.
flatjack9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 07:31 PM   #4
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Don View Post
Did you get slot in cam engaged into dist when installing,remove one side of dist,and crank engine,look to see if rotor is turning!!
Yes it's in the slot.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 07:36 PM   #5
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by flatjack9 View Post
Is your system positive ground? If so you need to connect the distributor to the positive terminal on the battery.
Yes it's positive ground. Are you saying that I have one wire from the distributor/condenser to one side of the coil and ground the other side of the coil?.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 08:08 PM   #6
alanwoodieman
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,962
Default Re: No spark?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
which distributor are you using? where is the coil mounted?
alanwoodieman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 08:10 PM   #7
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

Crab dizzy, coil mounted up by the oil filter.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 08:29 PM   #8
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: No spark?

It is - to the battery & + to the points, but polarity should not cause a no spark condition. Are you getting power to the coil? Is it the correct voltage for the coil you are using?
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 10:47 PM   #9
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

I'm running a wire directly from the coil to the battery and the coil is the same one that came with the truck and it ran before.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 10:50 PM   #10
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: No spark?

Dizzy grounds to the engine. Try a frame or body to engine ground strap. For starters.


If you leave straight power to a coil it will burn out.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 11:00 PM   #11
Tinker
Senior Member
 
Tinker's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MN
Posts: 7,053
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Licensed to kill View Post
Yes it's positive ground. Are you saying that I have one wire from the distributor/condenser to one side of the coil and ground the other side of the coil?.

NO


http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...ings_links.htm


http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...electrical.htm


The plus/minus on coils are for polarity. Both will make spark, but one produces better spark.


.

Last edited by Tinker; 03-29-2019 at 11:06 PM.
Tinker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 11:30 PM   #12
aussie merc
Senior Member
 
aussie merc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: sydney australia
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: No spark?

6v/12v postive or neg earth dosent mater heres some quick checks you need a multi meter so check for power at coil in check for power at coil to dizzy then if ok there connect multi meter to dizzy in and earth and rotate slowly ohms reading should go from 0 ohms [pionts closed] to infinate [pionts open] and should repeat cycle as you rotate so if ok check for coil circut ohms readings [ check coil specs they vary] not much else goes wrong then all you need to do is make sure coil suits the voltage and setup [with or without ballast resistor and is poled [installed ] to suit +or- earth [simple check if its running remove a plug lead and place an ordinary lead pencil in the arc if it flares towards the plug polarity is correct ps use gloves it bites ]
aussie merc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2019, 11:39 PM   #13
aussie merc
Senior Member
 
aussie merc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: sydney australia
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: No spark?

just re read your post if the engine was in storage check inside the cap' dust moisture and crap can accumulate and cause the spark to track to earth inside the cap once this happens a carbon track is laid down and all your spark goes straight to ground no fix other than replace the cap and rotor [been caught before]
aussie merc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 01:45 AM   #14
FlatheadTed
Senior Member
 
FlatheadTed's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auckland
Posts: 4,691
Send a message via AIM to FlatheadTed
Default Re: No spark?

If you haven't a Multy meter as A Merc says, Hold the jumper wire to the body of a bulb (at the coil end ) with the central contact to ground it should light up, if not double check that during the work the battery cables have not been switched at the starter solenoid and ground ,making it a Neg earth ,You could temporary attaché the jumper to x that could get you a spark ,if so if may indicate a fault in the Ing switch ect ..
__________________
http://www.flatheadted.com


Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,
FlatheadTed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 02:21 AM   #15
flatheadmurre
Senior Member
 
flatheadmurre's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Sweden
Posts: 3,045
Default Re: No spark?

Start by shorting the distributor side of the coil to ground a few quick times...if you get spark from coil it´s most likely points having oxide on them...run a file through points.
flatheadmurre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 09:33 AM   #16
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinker View Post
If you leave straight power to a coil it will burn out.
That's going to depend on the coil, not all coils require a ballast resistor voltage wise, but very good advice if you are keeping power on the coil when it is not running!!!!

Last edited by JSeery; 03-30-2019 at 09:40 AM.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 09:46 AM   #17
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tinker View Post
Dizzy grounds to the engine. Try a frame or body to engine ground strap. For starters.
I have good, large ground straps from the engine to the frame and the engine to the body but will check their contacts to be sure.

Quote:
If you leave straight power to a coil it will burn out.
Yes. I do not leave it connected. In fact, the wire is connected to the coil and we just put it on the battery while cranking and leave it off the battery when not running cranking tests.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 09:47 AM   #18
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by aussie merc View Post
just re read your post if the engine was in storage check inside the cap' dust moisture and crap can accumulate and cause the spark to track to earth inside the cap once this happens a carbon track is laid down and all your spark goes straight to ground no fix other than replace the cap and rotor [been caught before]
Cap, rotor, points, condenser and plugs are all new.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 09:52 AM   #19
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: No spark?

I agree with post #14 & #15, need to sort out where the issue starts. Before the coil, after the coil, input to distributor, etc. That will tell you what the most likely problem is.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-30-2019, 09:53 AM   #20
Licensed to kill
Senior Member
 
Licensed to kill's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Alberta
Posts: 930
Default Re: No spark?

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlatheadTed View Post
If you haven't a Multy meter as A Merc says, Hold the jumper wire to the body of a bulb (at the coil end ) with the central contact to ground it should light up, if not double check that during the work the battery cables have not been switched at the starter solenoid and ground ,making it a Neg earth ,You could temporary attaché the jumper to x that could get you a spark ,if so if may indicate a fault in the Ing switch ect ..
There is no solenoid for the starter. It's direct power form the battery (-), through a starter switch on the floor to the starter. Battery + to frame. I am using a jumper wire from the coil direct to the battery to eliminate any possible ignition switch/wiring issues.
Licensed to kill is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:07 AM.