No consistent spark
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 172
Likes: 18
No consistent spark
So I got a new flat head 8 (resent rebuild done by previous owner)and I tried to turn it on while on my engine stand and I don’t have a strong spark. I have a new distributor, rotor, coil, new spark plugs and wires. Could it be the points and the condenser? Points have been gapped and sanded. But I don’t have consistent spark to my plugs and if it does spark it’s fairly weak. I’m going to order a new condenser and points, but if that doesn’t work and I over looking something?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 467
From: Mason City, Iowa
There are a lot of diagnostic questions I would like to ask you to see if we can determine a cause, but for right now look to see if on one of the points' mounting screws you have a little flat grounding strap or wire attached. Make sure it is there and the opposite end is tighly grounded inside the distributor. If that ground is good I would suspect maybe a bad condenser. But even before that I would check over the wiring to the coil. With your ignition on, points open, what voltage are you measuring to the coil with respect to your ground on your engine block? Since you are 12 volts now are you running a ballast resistor between the coil and your ignition switch? If so, is it good? Note though the coil you are using could have the ballast resistor built in it. It should say so on the outside of the coil. If so you would not need the external one. There are more tests we can talk about from there if you like.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 172
Likes: 18
So I checked the firing order and 2 of the wires had been mixed up. Once fixed It fired right up but I won’t be able to tell how well it runs till I get 2 new carbs which have been shipped and I’ll be waiting on for now. Will update you all later this week. Thanks
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Marsh90250
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Oct 9, 2023 02:17 PM
