wiring

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aermotor

Well-known member
While trouble shooting the ignition I am good to the ignition switch, can not get power to the distributor from the switch. I replaced the ignition switch and left it hanging by the wires and not touching the dash. Does the switch need to be mounted to the dash for a ground to get power to the distributor?

John
 
aermotor said:
While trouble shooting the ignition I am good to the ignition switch, can not get power to the distributor from the switch. I replaced the ignition switch and left it hanging by the wires and not touching the dash. Does the switch need to be mounted to the dash for a ground to get power to the distributor?

John
Click to expand...

No


Let us know exactly which switch you have and we can likely tell you what is wrong inside the switch. It is likely the contacts inside are not connecting (touching) properly. On some switches, this can be repaired.
 
Remember the coil has power all the time and the ground path from the points
is through the ignition switch to the coil.
 
I find hotwring like this diagram very useful for locating any problems
 

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The rest of story. I have a Mallory dizzy for the centrifugal advance. Spent a couple days tracing all wiring and still could only get occasional spark. Finally pulled dizzy as I was getting power to the distributor all the time but still only occasional spark at the points. Turns out that the stud to the inside of the dizzy goes through a plastic formed in place grommet and was close enough to the exhaust manifold to melt - allowing the stud to drop enough to touch the housing and causing a short. Got the stud back centered and JB welded in place. Next problem to keep it from melting again. The drive shaft for the Mallory is slotted in the center so I turned the dizzy housing 180 degrees to get the grommet away from the exhaust manifold. Next I swapped a couple plug wires to correspond to the proper cylinder to maintain the plug firing order. Lo and behold all this trouble worked, however I do have some pity on the next guy that tries to time the engine. After all this typing I wonder if anyone gives a rip.

John
 
YES, many of us do give a 'rip'. It is always an enjoyment to hear of unique and various solutions to Model A problems (especially when they have to do with adaptive set-ups. For the next guy, you might consider leaving a note under the seat explaining the special set-up of your car.


Thank you for the interesting story.
 
aermotor said:
The rest of story. I have a Mallory dizzy for the centrifugal advance. Spent a couple days tracing all wiring and still could only get occasional spark. Finally pulled dizzy as I was getting power to the distributor all the time but still only occasional spark at the points. Turns out that the stud to the inside of the dizzy goes through a plastic formed in place grommet and was close enough to the exhaust manifold to melt - allowing the stud to drop enough to touch the housing and causing a short. Got the stud back centered and JB welded in place. Next problem to keep it from melting again. The drive shaft for the Mallory is slotted in the center so I turned the dizzy housing 180 degrees to get the grommet away from the exhaust manifold. Next I swapped a couple plug wires to correspond to the proper cylinder to maintain the plug firing order. Lo and behold all this trouble worked, however I do have some pity on the next guy that tries to time the engine. After all this typing I wonder if anyone gives a rip.

John
Click to expand...


That’s interesting and pretty ingenious. Good job! You might want to leave a note somewhere in the car (maybe the driver’s door pocket, if there is one) for the next owner. Lol


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pbishop said:
YES, many of us do give a 'rip'. It is always an enjoyment to hear of unique and various solutions to Model A problems (especially when they have to do with adaptive set-ups. For the next guy, you might consider leaving a note under the seat explaining the special set-up of your car.


Thank you for the interesting story.
Click to expand...


Sorry, I didn’t see your post until now. Sounds like we are on the same page.


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