Ran great yesterday

J

jerrytocci

Senior Member
Cranks over good but will not fire. Removed cap, body and rotor and loosened cam. turned ignition switch on and rotated cam by hand and heard snap from cowl area. Any ideas?
 
Look for carbon tracking on the coil and clean off the coil insulator. Spin the engine over when it is dark and look for sparks. Sounds like your sparks are going directly to ground at the coil.
 
Jerry, There are two ways to check for a spark without loosening the cam. If the points are open use a screw driver to short across the points and then remove it. If the points are closed, open the points with your finger or some insulated object like a piece of wood or plastic.
 
nkaminar said:
Jerry, There are two ways to check for a spark without loosening the cam. If the points are open use a screw driver to short across the points and then remove it. If the points are closed, open the points with your finger or some insulated object like a piece of wood or plastic.
Click to expand...

While holding a plug lead!!! :)
 
I know the screwdriver method. I asked what would make a snap by the firewall. Tomorrow I am going to give Blockheads theory a run.
 
Jerry, Also check to see that the high tension lead has not slipped down in the coil. Or that it has moved out of the distributor cap.

I don't know what kind of ignition switch you have but depending on that you may be getting a jump from the end of the cable that runs from the instrument panel to the distributor.
 
UPDATE...The distributor shaft was caked with rust and would not move. It had popped out of the drive gear just enough to not turn. I don't get it. It fine the day before. I can only guess it is from running with no hood sides in Florida. Thanks to all and yes...it only zaps for a second
 
Rust on the upper distributor shaft is VERY common in a Model A. It is caused by condensation in the engine and short running.
I suggest a new shaft after inspecting to make sure no damage was done to the tangs and grooves that drive everything from the camshaft drive gear directly below the distributor and the distributor itself.
Even removing the rust from your current shaft might be enough. I've done that, then used an aerosol can of spray on galvanising paint.
 
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