I'm trying to start up my '55 F350 and I'm getting no spark. It is a 6 volt system with new battery, cables, solenoid, coil, cap, rotor, sparks, etc. I have the positive running to ground on the battery. I show that I have power through the primary circuit of the coil to the distributor and I get a light when I test the point arm to the distributor body and the engine block. Everything seems to be grounded correctly. However I get no spark coming across the points when I turn the engine over. I have the points gap set at 0.025"when the arm reaches a peak on the cam. I took the battery in and it showed it had 6.4 volts and a full charge. The battery is rated at 960 ca and 740 cca. The coil tests at about 1.1 to 1.2 Ohms on the primary winding and about 8000 on the secondary. So it appears good, but maybe it's not??? I have also reversed the wires on the coil with no success. Any thoughts out there?

 

Seems like many people on this site have a problem with the wire between the coil and the points. It becomes shorted either as it goes into the base or near the point area. Either do a visual or disconnect both ends and put a meter to ground and check for a short. chuck

 

I've already dis connected the wire and checked the resistance and it is good. I've also checked that part of the system and can't find any shorts.

 

What 49 is saying is that the connection from the coil to the points is severed. Are you getting any spark at the points. Ross tells us that about 50% of new condensers are bad as well.

Check for continuety between the coil and points - not just the wire, and replace the condenser. A bad coil will usually allow you to start the engine, then fail when the motor gets hot.

 

Is the truck newly restored? What is new and old. Has it ever run or when has run? The more details the more feedback. chuck

 

The truck is a rolling chassis with an engine ready to start. It is all newly restored and it has been about 10 years since the truck was last used. I bought it 3 years ago.

The problem is solved. The points are new, but they had an oxide coating that was preventing the sytem from working. I had first used 1500 grit sandpaper and when it didn't work I thought the points were ok. After more troubleshooting last night I used a file and then finally got spark.

New I have to make some adjustments on my Holley 1904 carburator. The inlet needle valve is not operating smoothly enough and so the carb if flooding out the vent. I'm going to try and play with that tonight or tomorrow.

I'm going to put some photos of the truck up.

 

Good troubleshooting. When you have time put your city, state in the upper right corner of replys. Entry located in your information by clicking your email name. Good luck on your build. chuck