No spark

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 26, 2005 | 05:53 AM

1950ford

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Grand Blanc

No spark

I have a 1950 straight six pickup I've owned for 15 years. I only drive it during the summer. It died on I-75 the other day. No warning. Just died. I first thought it was out of gas because my gas gauge doesn't work. Upon further examination I found it had no spark at the points. So I took this opportunity to do a complete tune up. I replaced the points, condensor, plugs, rotor, cap and coil. Still nothing.Then I noticed a wire was arcing inside the distributor. I took out the distributor and repaired the wire. Put it back together, fired it up, nothing. No power to the points. The battery is good. I've checked everything I could think of. The only thing left could be a broken wire. The summer is winding down and my truck is parked in the garage. I would appreciate any help on this seemingly simple issue.

Thanks

Aug 26, 2005 | 06:16 AM

Christopher2

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 1,784

Likes: 45

From: Minnesota

Did you check the voltage at the coil it should be 6 volts?

Aug 26, 2005 | 06:22 AM

ford390gashog

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 26,007

Likes: 575

From: Brentwood,CA

check the points,condensor and coil voltage thats all that could be wrong

Aug 26, 2005 | 06:58 AM

fordman102

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2003

Posts: 525

Likes: 0

From: New Braunfels TX

I've got new condensors that were bad coming out of the box.

Aug 26, 2005 | 07:15 AM

redlightning

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 282

Likes: 0

From: Winchester

Useing a test light with the key on ,on the positive side of the coil it should light up.While cranking on the negitive side the light should flash on and off.If both checks ok then the coil is bad.
I use a led test light.
A bad coil and condensor will feel like running out of fuel also.

Aug 26, 2005 | 08:35 AM

1950ford

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 23

Likes: 0

From: Grand Blanc

Thanks for the advice. This just hit me. The truck has been converted to 12 volts. I purchased tune up parts for a 1950 pickup (6 volt) system. Will this make a difference?

Aug 26, 2005 | 08:39 AM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,299

Likes: 1,059

From: NM

The condenser would be different, but I wouldn't expect it to make it not run. Trace your wires all the way back to the ignition switch. Are you using a ballast resistor? It may well have burned out. Did you switch to a 12v coil?