The Ford Barn

jake149 · 04-01-2012, 12:55 PM

We brought home a 28 sedan model a. It did not come with a key. At a local swap meet we bought a brand new ignition set. The car has not run in over 45 years atleast and were learning as we go.

We replaced the old ignition with a new one from a a local swap meet. When the key is in either direction we can get the car to turn and have spark both ways? 1 post went to the dizzy, the other key post went to front of the coil as shown on a schematic.

should this be doing this or not? what did i do wrong?

Another problelm we are having is a drain on the battery. We installed a new battery and cables. We cranked the car enough to drain the battery, then hooked up the charger and it charged to 6 volts. When we attempted to crank it again, it only cranked 2 times. When we test it with the volt meter it reads 6.18 volts, but it will not crank. Whats the deal?

Here's what we've done: New 6 volt battery, new positive and negative cable for battery, new wiring at junction box (same gauge), new ignition, re gapped spark plugs, emory all contact points, re did TDC timing, we have spark from all plugs.

need a little help with this, what are your suggestions or comments. Thanks. Just trying to get her going once again

Tom Wesenberg · 04-01-2012, 01:09 PM

Volts is not the best indication of a good battery. It takes hours to recharge a run down battery by using a small charger, like 3 to 6 amps. A heavy fast charge isn't good for the battery.

It sounds like the igintion switch isn't turning off the coil, and it killed the battery. This can also overheat and ruin the coil. Does the switch have two terminals, as it should? If so disconnect the wires and test it with an ohm meter or continuity tester to make sure it turns on and off as it should. Also make sure the switch terminals aren't touching the gas tank and shorting to ground.

Evan Lewis · 04-01-2012, 05:39 PM

I read here on Ford Barn that it is a good idea to put a piece of electrical tape across the posts on the back of the ignition switch so that it will not ground against the gas tank. I did this as a precaution.
Evan Lewis

Fred K-OR · 04-01-2012, 06:03 PM

If you have spark on all 4 plugs, then it would seem like you ignition system is working. But like Even says above a short behind your switch could be causing the battery to run down. You may want to get a cut out switch put in so you can turn off the battery when you do not use the car.

Also if all 4 plugs are sparking, then it would seem like maybe you are not getting gas in the correct places. When choking a lot, does the gas run out of the carb? If not, maybe the gas does not get to the carb. Thus check your fuel supply system.

Good luck and have fun. It will start sooner or later.

700rpm · 04-01-2012, 06:08 PM

Where are you located? It helps you and us if you give us your location, then we can help you find assistance close to you who might be able (and more than willing) to come get you started. Find your nearest Model A club and join.

columbiA · 04-02-2012, 12:16 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

A voltage test on a battery without a load test means didly squat.If the voltage drops below 4-1/2volts after a couple minutes with the load tester,then the battery wasnt fully charged orhas a weak cell.I use a Milton battery tester that works well on 6 or 12 volt systems.Make sure you have the heavier 6 V cables & good clean connections.I like to pull the starter & sand the mounting flange on starter & FW hsg until its shiny.The ground side of any circuit has to be as clean as the hot side.As for starting the engine, at the very least,I would drain the oil & pour 1 quart down the dizzy hole to give initial oiling to the cam & main brgs & pour the rest in the filler pipe.Its always a good idea to do this when an engine has sat for so many years.

jake149 · 04-02-2012, 02:19 PM

thanks a lot everyone, we got it started. The new 6v battery we got was bad. We hooked up a nice new fresh one and it started up. Very amazing to see a car that sat for 46 years start up and run. We drove it around too, haha

Louis · 04-02-2012, 02:39 PM

Way to go Jake

, ....How about a pic. of the car ?

Droobie · 04-02-2012, 06:19 PM

I agree!! lets see this car!

04-01-2012, 12:55 PM	#1
jake149 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 10	Need some help starting We brought home a 28 sedan model a. It did not come with a key. At a local swap meet we bought a brand new ignition set. The car has not run in over 45 years atleast and were learning as we go. We replaced the old ignition with a new one from a a local swap meet. When the key is in either direction we can get the car to turn and have spark both ways? 1 post went to the dizzy, the other key post went to front of the coil as shown on a schematic. should this be doing this or not? what did i do wrong? Another problelm we are having is a drain on the battery. We installed a new battery and cables. We cranked the car enough to drain the battery, then hooked up the charger and it charged to 6 volts. When we attempted to crank it again, it only cranked 2 times. When we test it with the volt meter it reads 6.18 volts, but it will not crank. Whats the deal? Here's what we've done: New 6 volt battery, new positive and negative cable for battery, new wiring at junction box (same gauge), new ignition, re gapped spark plugs, emory all contact points, re did TDC timing, we have spark from all plugs. need a little help with this, what are your suggestions or comments. Thanks. Just trying to get her going once again

04-01-2012, 01:09 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Need some help starting Volts is not the best indication of a good battery. It takes hours to recharge a run down battery by using a small charger, like 3 to 6 amps. A heavy fast charge isn't good for the battery. It sounds like the igintion switch isn't turning off the coil, and it killed the battery. This can also overheat and ruin the coil. Does the switch have two terminals, as it should? If so disconnect the wires and test it with an ohm meter or continuity tester to make sure it turns on and off as it should. Also make sure the switch terminals aren't touching the gas tank and shorting to ground. Last edited by Tom Wesenberg; 04-02-2012 at 12:44 AM.

04-01-2012, 05:39 PM	#3
Evan Lewis Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cumming, Georgia Posts: 66	Re: Need some help starting I read here on Ford Barn that it is a good idea to put a piece of electrical tape across the posts on the back of the ignition switch so that it will not ground against the gas tank. I did this as a precaution. Evan Lewis

04-01-2012, 06:03 PM	#4
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Need some help starting If you have spark on all 4 plugs, then it would seem like you ignition system is working. But like Even says above a short behind your switch could be causing the battery to run down. You may want to get a cut out switch put in so you can turn off the battery when you do not use the car. Also if all 4 plugs are sparking, then it would seem like maybe you are not getting gas in the correct places. When choking a lot, does the gas run out of the carb? If not, maybe the gas does not get to the carb. Thus check your fuel supply system. Good luck and have fun. It will start sooner or later. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

04-01-2012, 06:08 PM	#5
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 5,906	Re: Need some help starting Where are you located? It helps you and us if you give us your location, then we can help you find assistance close to you who might be able (and more than willing) to come get you started. Find your nearest Model A club and join. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

04-02-2012, 12:16 AM	#6
columbiA Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,746	Re: Need some help starting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) A voltage test on a battery without a load test means didly squat.If the voltage drops below 4-1/2volts after a couple minutes with the load tester,then the battery wasnt fully charged orhas a weak cell.I use a Milton battery tester that works well on 6 or 12 volt systems.Make sure you have the heavier 6 V cables & good clean connections.I like to pull the starter & sand the mounting flange on starter & FW hsg until its shiny.The ground side of any circuit has to be as clean as the hot side.As for starting the engine, at the very least,I would drain the oil & pour 1 quart down the dizzy hole to give initial oiling to the cam & main brgs & pour the rest in the filler pipe.Its always a good idea to do this when an engine has sat for so many years.

04-02-2012, 02:19 PM	#7
jake149 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 10	Re: Need some help starting thanks a lot everyone, we got it started. The new 6v battery we got was bad. We hooked up a nice new fresh one and it started up. Very amazing to see a car that sat for 46 years start up and run. We drove it around too, haha

04-02-2012, 02:39 PM	#8
Louis Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marietta GA. Posts: 647	Re: Need some help starting Way to go Jake , ....How about a pic. of the car ?

04-02-2012, 06:19 PM	#9
Droobie Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Mooresville NC. Posts: 161	Re: Need some help starting I agree!! lets see this car!