47 V8 ignition mystery

1942deluxe said:
Craig, any updates?
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The flathead specialist, Dr. Charles "Charlie" Schwendler in New York, has reported in Old Henry's medical records the following:

1/21 I found issues with both sets of points, they will be in the box. I'm guessing neither set had many hours...one set was drastically cratered the other set OK except the stationary half had an erosion of the movable arm contact into it's contact. Both sets replaced ( arms on these are bushed).
I could make the spring loaded connector (pn 12322) fail, so that is replaced.
The big bushing diameter on the rotor shaft had the usual wear and out of round condition , .005+ and .002 resp. I turned the diameter
straight and round and machined an undersize bushing to fit.....0014 clearance..

1/23 Everything is ready to ship. My e mail to you yesterday highlighted what I found. I ran your distributor today and it tested perfectly as far as the distributor is concerned. There was a definate occasional snapping sound which turned out to be an ignition ground between the spark plug wires and the engine block. This issue was eliminated when I ran your distributor with my cap and wires. If you wish I can make up a set of wires....I exclusively use
BELDEN 7MM stainless metal core wires....with black 2 ply 'rubber' insulation....both ends are soldered. From your old posts , years back, on the Barn I seem to think you'd prefer to make new wires yourself.

[I told him to make new wires]

1/26 The new spark plugs wires are installed , the test motor runs great. Each plug exhibits a fat blue spark when shorted and rpm is equally reduced when the plugs are individually shorted. 22 feet of wire was used. I recycled the spark plug ends...both ends are soldered. The cap ends have boots installed. Coil wire made same material as SP wires. Original cap and rotor in good condition.

1/31 Shipped today by USPS...due WED.
Thanks,
Charlie

THAT'S TODAY!
I'm so excited to get Old Henry back "on the road again.":)
 
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Old Henry said:
The flathead specialist, Dr. Charles "Charlie" Schwendler in New York, has reported in Old Henry's medical records the following: ....

THAT'S TODAY!
I'm so excited to get Old Henry back "on the road again.":)
Click to expand...

Fantastic and thanks for the after surgery notes :-)

Glenn
 
Yes thanks for Charlie's feedback. Very interesting to read what he was able to find.
 
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Oh, glorious day!
Thanks to dear good ol' Doc Charlie, Old Henry is back on the road in full power, all 8 cylinders firing 100%!
I just drove him a 50 mile round trip up the mountain and back just to be sure it wasn't a dream. It wasn't. I'd almost forgotten how great it felt to be behind his wheel with full power. It's been 2 1/2 years.

Thanks to all you barners with your many ideas, suggestions or just plain comforting words/condolences.

Hope to get my next road trip in this month.:)
 
Great news Craig. Now we are all ready for the next trip report!

Great work Charlie, as usual.

Ken
 
I've always had good service and results from Charlie S. and keep a spare of his in my trunk. As said, the "glow" around the base of certain plugs is concerning i.e. the spark is having trouble or resistance trying ot find "ground" ??? Can't be an issue with the head otherwise all phugs on that side would do same. Try connecting a test meter from base of plugs to ground and record what resistance and/or deviation may show.
 
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I miss the videos of your road trips, I hope you get to post more in the future. Your past videos inspired me to visit Arches National Park, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone/Grand Tetons.
 
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