Non starter

[Bick in New Zealand]

Just got my my 'B' back together. New timing gear, B distributor, cam, coil. Have tried to start it with no joy. Checked everything, and cannot see anything obvious. Plenty of gas, spark at points, rechecked timing etc. Am I missing something?

 

[ModelAMike1930]

Is the spark getting to the plugs? That would be the next thing I would check.

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

Checked that an no spark at the end of the coil wire. Coil is new and checked out fine.

 

[ModelAMike1930]

I would check the leads coming from the coil You may have a bad connector on one of the leads.

 

[katy]

spark at points,

If it's a big spark that's an indication of a bad condenser, it should be a small spark.

 

[Patrick L.]

There should be 6-8 volts at the moveable point arm when open and 0 volts when points are closed.

If you have that, then opening and closing the points should cause a good spark to ground from the secondary coil lead when placed about 1/4" from a good ground.

Are you getting good fuel flow to carburetor ? When choked can you get fuel to come from the choke plate area ? Have you added a couple squirts of oil to each cylinder ?

 

[Mulletwagon]

If the ignition system is unmodified, should have 6+ volts at both coil terminals with ignition switch off. Should have 6+ volts at one side of the points (points open) with the ignition switch on. Might also ensure the rotor is pointing to the #1 cylinder on the compression stroke and not the exhaust stroke. This can be confirmed by holding a finger over the spark plug hole while hand cranking the engine and feeling compression. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Bick in New Zealand]

Well checked everything again today, including continuity in all wiring. Took distributor apart and couldn't find anything inside that was untoward. In desperation ran the distributor feed directly to the coil and it fired straight up and ran like it should. Looks like I will be buying another ignition switch........

 

[dumb person]

Well checked everything again today, including continuity in all wiring. Took distributor apart and couldn't find anything inside that was untoward. In desperation ran the distributor feed directly to the coil and it fired straight up and ran like it should. Looks like I will be buying another ignition switch........

You may find you can repair the switch. I recall taking one apart and using leatherwork rivets to replace worn contacts inside.