Okay, seem to have carb problem down thanks to forum help. I can use some more expert advice as I edge closer to hopefully seeing this great old f3 226 6cyl come to life. Now when cranking engine there is no spark at any plugs, no visible spark at coil to dist plug wire, no spark on points contact. I get 6 some volts at -neg post of coil. It is a new 6v coil, only difference is posts are slighly different. Old coil had 2 posts low and across from coil plug hole, new has 2 posts, 1 each to the left and right of coil plug hole marked - and +. Schematic appears that the - goes to the ignition switch, and + to the distrib. Any help, suggestions appreciated. I had a service manual but can't seem to locate it arounfd the garage but I trust hands on experience even better. Thanks in advance. RH

 

The - should go to the distributor (points), and the + should go to
the ignition switch.

 

RH, you're right about the schematic IF you're still running a stock positive ground system.

If your truck has been changed over to neg ground, then hook it up like Bob indicated.

 

Yes it is a positve ground system. I measured voltage from - primary to ground, is 6 some volts, + to to ground 6 some volts. Ohms across primaries normal, across secondary nothing but am not sure what to look for their.

 

I'm not your best source of help but since nobody else has jumped in here goes - I switched my '48 to 12V neg grnd 2 years ago - also its a V8.

Generally with the key on you should have juice to the center of the dist. Is the + wire firmly connected to the body of the dist? It is possible you got a bad 'new' coil. They should be able to check it where you bought it.

Mac's catalog shows the same coil for 42-47 V8s AND 41-47 6's. What year is your truck?

If all else fails, the guys on these sites below are incredible when it comes to trouble shooting flatheads. On the msn site you can also check the techno site - your problem may already be archived there.

fordbarn.com

http://groups.msn.com/FordFlathead19...pgmarket=en-us

 

Its a 51 f3. I'm perplexed so far because I don't have the measurements to check coil. It is from Macs and is new or rebuilt. Has ohms across primaries but nothing across secondary. I will check points again this weekend, but was getting good volts from distributor to coil. I have a good 292 v8 in a 1964 ford 250 sitting outback that I vae thought of putting in this truck, but am hoping to get original up and running just for fun, not really thinking of daily use. The 64' is a antique now i think too so I haven't really wanted to gut it. It's not my favorite truck but someone out there might could use it some day. I don't know if I'm up for a 12 volt conversion afterall this work so far but am open to it. No one posts much your right. I guess you have to be "in" or something.

 

Hi guys, I'm pretty new to these forum things, and if I say anything that's too rudimentary or basic, I don't mean to insult anyone and am only trying to help.
Also please be sure to correct me on anything that I say that is just plain wrong. I know this info stays up a long time on the web and should strive to be accurate. So here it goes:
The resistance across the secondary would be megohms and would look open on a lot of meters. The primary resistance is low. This low to high ratio gives the low to high voltage change.
Check to see if your 6v gets to the points and then out of the points to the coil. And make sure its opening and closing. The coil works by being energized by the primary voltage and creating a field in the secondary. Then when the primary voltage is interupted by the points opening, this field collapses sending out a high voltage pulse to the distributor. So, even if the voltage is there, if the points don't open and close your not going to get a spark.
Also, this last weekend I was watching a hotrod show with Boyd Covington building a very expensive engine. These guys with 100 years on combined expertise were having the same problem; no spark to the plugs. They finally figured out that they forgot to put the rotor in

 

Instead of "primary voltage is interupted" it is "primary current
is interrupted".

It is a change in current in the primary coil windings that
induces the high voltage in the secondary windings.....

 

Yep, current not voltage. Sorry about that. I need to double check my ramblings before hitting that submit button. Thanks Bob.

 

Thanks for the info. After setting ohms for a mega reading, I do get a reading for the secondary coil windings. I also get constant voltage without a drop form + and distributor. The points appear to open. I take it then that the points aren't truly opening even though they appear to, or there is a short to ground here somewhere. or points and condenser are shot. I'll check that.