Now for spark!

Thanks again for all your help in getting my 1955 F100 to turn over! Now I need some help with the spark, or should i say lack there of... I started by pulling the #1 plug and grounding it out with the engine turning and nothing. Then I pulled the coil wire and held to the cap to see if i could get an arc from there, but still nothing... Would this lead you to believe there is a problem with the coil or have i started my diagnostics in the wrong place? I did also check to make sure the points are openiong and closing and when i open and close them with the key on I noticed I could get a small spark.

 

Old points or new?

They need to be real clean. File or sand to get them smooth.

Once you get good spark at the points, then take the coil wire out of the dist cap and place it 1/8" away from metal to see if the coil is good. It should spark there each time the points are opened.

 

Hold what ever wire you are testing with about 1/4 OFF a metal surface to check for spark. Pull cap and confirm points are opening and rotor is turning when engine is cranking over.Clean points with a bit of 220 -320 sandpaper. With points open and iginion switch on using a test light confirm power to the moveable point. Test test light across battery before using. Trust me here !! LOL

 

I would replace the points , condenser , rotor , spark plugs with new fresh ones to rule out any bad parts . I would also check the distributor cap to make sure the contacts are nice and shinny . If not replace the distributor cap as well . If nothing happens after that , then to rule out wiring problems , run a wire from the Positive side of the battery to the Positive side of the coil . Then it should start . If no then replace the coil .
That's what I would do to start with a good fresh base to work from .

OK I am not trying to be a smart *** here but you do have the rotor in when you try to start the engine , right ? That has been forgotten by many , many good mechanics !

Retro Jim

 

I took out the points and cleaned and can now get spark at the plug but it looks weak (yellowish) so i will replace points, cap, rotor and wires and hopefully that will help things out. thanks guys!

 

Don't forget where the spark comes from either ! The coil ! A stock coil really isn't that much more money and just might save you more headaches !
Just a thought !

Retro Jim