Re: Another Spark Question
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From what you've said it would certainly seem like your issue has something to do with the distributor. If your car was firing, but not starting it was obviously firing and something changed, which doesn't seem to be accident related.
Are you trying to start it now with the ignition switch bypassed, that is coil wired directly to the battery? If still not spark then seems to me that it has to be your coil or your distributor. Maybe that somewhat delicate wire on the points? Did wires get taken off and accidentally put back on incorrectly? Maybe something got hot and burnt out while trying to start it? Because it was recently running, not a car that's been sitting for 5 years, I don't think plugs or plug wires would be your issue. Maybe the wire from the distributor to the coil? Maybe something shorting out? I'll bet it is something simple................finding it not so simple. Maybe post some pics and somebody will see something that you're missing. Maybe insurance will cover the cost of getting it running again? It ran before it was hit and now it doesn't. Good luck!
Posted on: 1/31 17:37
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Re: Another Spark Question
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You might check to see if one of the weights in the distributor have come off their post and are shorting to the case. This can happen by the violent shock in some sorts of accidents. It happened on Miss Prudence from just simply wear over 70 years~! Ernie in Arizona
Posted on: 2/1 10:33
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Caretaker of the 1949-288 Deluxe Touring Sedan
'Miss Prudence' and the 1931 Model A Ford Tudor 'Miss Princess' ![]() |
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Re: Another Spark Question
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Thanks Ernie, that’s interesting about the weights. I’m a bit afraid of further exploratory surgery into the dizzy… but I might try to check it out or at least look for evidence.
I couldn’t get out to the car in daylight today, but the meter did arrive and I tested some things I swapped. Interesting results. My condenser was toast almost completely. My king lead was showing continuity on the wire itself but the fold over connectors had nothing. Hopefully this increases the chances that when I put the fully charged battery in it’ll spark away. Anyone want to place a bet?
Posted on: 2/1 17:48
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Re: Another Spark Question
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Limited time again today, but still no spark. I briefly could try out the meter and got some strange results. It seemed to show continuity with the points both open and closed. Maybe it was user error on the new meter as I’ve not used one myself before. Also the condenser installed was showing nothing on the 20 setting. Hopefully I’ll get some more time for troubleshooting tomorrow.
Posted on: 2/2 17:48
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Re: Another Spark Question
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Home away from home
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Have a helper take a picture of where you have the leads to test the continuity.
Posted on: 2/2 18:04
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1955 400 | Registry | Project Blog
1955 Clipper Deluxe | Registry | Project Blog 1955 Clipper Super Panama | Registry |
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Re: Another Spark Question
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So I got the car started and in the driveway thankfully. It’s still hard starting but I swapped out the condenser again with a known good one, and set the point gap closer to .018. Started getting spark again and eventually it fired. I may have a manifold leak somewhere because it’s starting like it’s sucking air, and benefitting from pumps of the throttle to squirt fluid in. I also think my timing is advanced for its condition, it seems like the engine is hitting compression strokes when trying to start and then not turning over smoothly.
Can someone remind me what to loosen to rotate the distributor (Autolite 4502b) to retard the timing just slightly and see if starting improves? I think my brother did it last time and I don’t want to throw the whole thing off by loosening the wrong thing and trying to turn it.
Posted on: 2/4 16:35
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Re: Another Spark Question
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On that type of distributor I believe you do it by loosening the screw at the side bracket in the forefront of your photo. If you clean it a bit, you’ll even see increments on it.
Posted on: 2/4 18:24
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Re: Another Spark Question
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Ok great that means this one right should be circled in red? I appreciate the help, all this stuff is fairly “on the fly” so I get in my head about trying it or not, but after reading some other posts I’m pretty convinced part of the start issues is being too advanced. Well that and all the cracks and issues with the block and now probably manifolds. Maybe if the manifold is cracked I’ll rename her to The Cracken, until I get the new engine and goodies in at least!
Posted on: 2/4 18:43
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Re: Another Spark Question
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Home away from home
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Yes, that’s it and need be loosened only enough to make the adjustment. Before trying to time it, look around for any vacuum leaks, especially in the advance diaphragm. On the exhaust leak, it could be something as simple as the exhaust pipe gasket but wherever it is, it shouldn’t be difficult to locate by listing or by hand - feeling near the seams for any extra puffs without getting burned in the process. You may even be able to locate it visually by adjacent discoloration.
This type of distributor also has a separate external ground wire at the bracket which holds the advance so be sure it’s intact.
Posted on: 2/4 19:05
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