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Old Nov 3, 2015 | 09:05 PM
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Help Please

My brother has a 1948 F5 truck flathead v8. We need to bypass the ignition switch in order to see if that is why we have no spark at points. This is a 6 volt Positive ground and what we need to know is how do you hotwire this vehicle.
Any help we can get will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
 
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Old Nov 3, 2015 | 09:30 PM
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There are two posts on the coil. One goes to the distributor, the other to the wiring harness, back to the switch.

Disconnect that second one and run a jumper from there to the negative post on the battery.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2015 | 03:08 AM
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Thank you very much. This is a great place to be and I am sure we will have many more questions.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2015 | 03:31 AM
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Question about wheels 1948 F5

I was told that my rims should be split ring but I can't find a split ring on either side of the rim. can someone tell me what type of rims I have?
 

Last edited by Ray91827; Nov 4, 2015 at 03:33 AM. Reason: wrong term
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Old Nov 4, 2015 | 05:03 AM
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This reference from one our members may help. Pics of yours would allow our experts to chime in as well. Ford two piece rims
 
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Old Nov 4, 2015 | 04:37 PM
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More questions on no spark

We tried the hotwire and still no spark at points. We did replace the wire that goes from the points to the stud on the distributor as it was bare in many spots and replaced the wire from the distributor stud to the + side of the coil; also replaced the points and condensor. Any advice; please and Thank you.
 
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Old Nov 4, 2015 | 06:26 PM
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Inside the distributor, from the stud where you replaced the external wire, there is a wire that goes under the points plate to the points. It frequently has bare spots and shorts to the body of the distributor. Easiest to pull the distributor to work on it. You don't need to disassemble the distributor to replace it but there are small nuts and bolts that can fall down under the points plate. The new wire needs to be fine-stranded wire so it can flex easily as the points plate moves for advance.


 
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Old Nov 4, 2015 | 06:38 PM
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We did replace that wire before we put in the new points. Thank you for replying.
 
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 12:56 PM
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Wiring Diagram?

Does anyone know where I can get an ignition wiring diagram for the 1948 F5 flathead 8 cylinder POSITIVE ground?
 
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Old Nov 5, 2015 | 01:35 PM
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There isn't much to it. A wire from the ignition switch (power) to the (-) terminal on the coil, the wire from the (+) terminal on the coil to the distributor.

Try disconnecting the condenser. Many are bad out of the box. Also check all grounds.


 
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Old Nov 7, 2015 | 07:23 AM
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Got the no spark problem figured out. The crimp on wire end on the wire that we replaced inside the distributor was touching the side of the distributor.
Thank you to all who helped.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2015 | 07:28 AM
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Question on timing

1948 F5 flathead 8 cyl. Positive ground.

Is there a way to time the motor without it running? We "almost" got it started.
 
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Old Nov 7, 2015 | 09:43 AM
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Disconnect the (+) wire from the coil. Connect an ohmmeter to that wire and ground. With the bump on the crankshaft sheave aligned with the pointer, turn the distributor so the points just open (ohmmeter goes to Zero). Make sure the rotor is pointing to #1 spark plug wire.
 
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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 10:20 AM
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Question about finding parts

I have looked and am not sure how to do this. Is it allowable to ask if someone might have a certain part for sale or if they know where to get it?
Thank you
 
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Old Nov 8, 2015 | 10:24 AM
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Originally Posted by Ray91827
I have looked and am not sure how to do this. Is it allowable to ask if someone might have a certain part for sale or if they know where to get it?
Thank you
Absolutely Ray. Just peruse the forum posts, and you will see thread after thread where some member is looking for a part.

This forum is THE place to network for, not just information, but about anything you might need for your old truck.
 
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