I just bought a 1942 ford pickup v8 that is a 6 v with positive ground . Cranks but no spark. I have a new 6v coil, starter is good. I posted before about this problem but still want to get a better idea what I am looking at. People have told me to change the distributor condenser and check the points. I am trying to check other possible problems as it looks like to get at the distributor I will have to remove the shroud and fan. I have many wires that are not connected under the dash. I have the pictured resistor under the dash, the two wires to the left are connected to I believe, one coil the other ignition switch . I was told to by p*** the resistor and I will get spark. I have read many threads and some say this will work and others that say it will burn out the coil. Anyone have experience with the no spark problem I would appreciate any ideas. I also get hot read with ignition switch turned to the on position on the negative side of coil and no hot at the positive side or distributor/condenser terminals. I am not sure if the key has to crank to get hot reads at these terminals.
if the truck has been sitting for a while it most likely has some scuz on the points, and they will need clean or replace. but first, if unsure about all the wiring, just run a jumper wire from the negative battery post (check that its positive ground) to the battery side of the coil. then crank it over and check a spark plug for spark. i am not familiar withyour shroud, but if its a 42 it should have the two bolt distributor which is normally easy to remove. leave the cap hagin there, and its two bolts and the coil wire. they are drivin by an offset slot so it only goes back on one way and you cant screw up!
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