Ignition

A

aichord

Member
With the key on how many volts should go to the distrubuter. I have about 6 volts is this correct? I cant seem to get a spark to the plugs. Rotor is set at .025.:(
 
If you car is 6-volts you should be able to detect 6-volts at both wing nuts on the terminal block on the firewall and both terminals of the coil when the key is off. Turn the key on and put a business card between the points and you should detect voltage on the arm of the points.

Tom Endy
 
With the points open it should be close to battery volts, with points closed it should be zero volts (points make ground when closed)
 
Check for a cracked rotor. If everything else is showing proper voltage this may be your problem. I have had this happen to me.
 
aichord said:
I know this is a stupid question but what side dos the positive terminal of the coil go on Pass or driver
Click to expand...

The car will run either way you connect the coil. One way is correct, the other is not. If it is not it robs a couple of Henry's horses. It is difficult to detect correct.

In the old days high school auto shop teachers liked to demonstrate to the class the pencil trick. The tip of a pencil lead is place in the spark stream between a wire and a spark plug. The side of the pencil that flares tells you which is which. I have long since forgotten which is which. What I remember is that the teacher would hand the pencil to the class wise guy and have him do it.

Today you can buy a device from many of the suppliers that you temporarily plug into the top of the distributor. It has two LEDs that will tell you correct or reversed. I purchased one years ago and took it to a Model A event where we checked about 30 cars and found about half were reversed.

Tom Endy
 
With "Correct" Coil Polarity:

1. A regular small "Ignition Spark" should jump from the spark plug metal connector to the lead point on a lead pencil; and at the same time,

2. A small "Flare Spark" should jump from the pencil point to the top of the installed grounded plug.
 
Last edited:
aichord said:
I know this is a stupid question but what side dos the positive terminal of the coil go on Pass or driver
Click to expand...

There is no such thing as a stupid question! Questions are ask due to lack of knowledge. There are lots of experts here --I'm not one but learning a lot due to them sharing their years of experience. :)
 
I used a method in the Andrews book to check my coil. Page 2-9 in the "Blue" book (Trouble shooting).

I used a VOM (Tripolet) that has a high volts scale. I.E. X1000

Check the polarity at a plug wire. The correct polarity is to have the coil output negative with respect to the block. For some reason, if the center electrode is negative, the spark is stronger.

Marc
 
Last edited:
aichord said:
I know this is a stupid question but what side dos the positive terminal of the coil go on Pass or driver
Click to expand...

Not a stupid question. The only stupid question is the one not asked. If you have questions, ask away as the correct answers are on the Ford Barn.

Chet
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top