Trying to get my car running

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Welcome back:

Kenny, I'm trying. It would be much easier if I was there.

Where did you have the test light touching? Where did you have ground? If you are getting power off the bottom of the points, that shouldn't be happening.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 AT 5:38 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Joe

hi, The ground was on the metal of chassis.I believe its the way the points and condenser are grounded. Would you know if there is some type of gasket on the inside of the distributor, between the points and distributor wall? Also, on the outside of the distributor, how are washers, hot wire and condenser connected.

Please see photo.

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 27th, 2019 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Welcome back:

I was able to track down a basic wiring schematic for points and condenser online. Note that the signal wire comes from the coil (-) where it is joined to both the points and condenser. The points are grounded through the distributor's base plate and the condenser is grounded on the distributor housing.

As far as the wiring, you can't have a spacer between the points and the base plate or you lose ground to the points.

Tell me something, by any chance does this vehicle have a component known as a ballast resister? On older vehicles (and I'm not sure about yours) a ballast resister was used to protect the points from receiving more power than was needed.

As far as the wiring on the distributor, it looks correct.

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, October 27th, 2019 AT 8:52 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Joe,

This car does not have a ballast resistor. I removed the points, they looked burnt. The question is there is a gasket on the inside where the point screw go through the distributor housing? There is also fiber washers on the outside of the distributor.
I believe the reason for electrical issues has to do with points, condenser, hot wire and fiber washers not being connected correctly.

Please see photos.

Thank you

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, October 28th, 2019 AT 5:09 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Welcome back:

There should be something preventing them from grounding where the connection comes through. The only place that should have power is the bolt which goes straight to the points. That screw should not ground at any point. Ground for the points is through the distributor base plate.

Let me know.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, October 28th, 2019 AT 6:47 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Joe,

Yes I agree, I pulled the points, getting new ones, will place fiber washers at all connecting points. Would you know if the condenser needs a fiber washer where it connects with a screw to the distributor body?

Thank you,

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 2:33 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Welcome back:

You need to make sure it isn't grounded to where it attaches with the points. So, if the wire to it is touching the side of the distributor, you need one.

I was telling my brother about your car. We looked up pics of them. Now he wants one. LOL We need to get this thing running so you can enjoy it.

Take care,
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, October 29th, 2019 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
JOE

Hi, tell your brother the horse power in this engine is low, when it was running had difficulty making it up a hill.

Talking about Horsepower would, you know what the compression should be on this engine when doing a compression test?
Also, are there any additives on the market that will increase compression?

Thank you, Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
I don't have the compression specs, but suspect around 100 psi. Take a look at the picture below. It has around 20hp. That is unbelievable.

As far as additives, I always run the other directions and never use them. They do make a compression additive, but in my mind, all it will do is make the oil thicker to help prevent compression from getting past the rings.

Joe.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Joe hi, where have you been,

Please read below, need your help.

Hi, per your past emails I put the new points in, attached the coil, condenser hot wire from the coil, Fiber washers, etc.

I have the distributor cap off, when I turn car over I am not getting any spark at the points. What I am getting is a spark within
the distributor cap, I believe its from the large middle coil wire from the coil. When I remove the large coil wire from the center of the coil, I will then get a "small spark" at the points. Does that make any sense to you? Is there a way to get a stronger spark
at the points?

Thank you,

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 10:08 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Kenny:

You're getting spark within the cap? Are you sure the cap is good? Also, do you have 12v to the points?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Hi, its a 6 volt system, I don't believe your going to get 6 volts at the points. How do you check? The distributor cap is brand new.

Please answer my questions.

Thank you,

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 3:23 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Kenny:
Use a digital multi meter or volt meter and check for power to the points. Here are directions on using one. You should have battery voltage to the points at cold start (key in the start position). If there is a resister on the vehicle, when the key returns to run, the voltage will drop.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Also, if you are seeing spark at the coil wire on the distributor cap, you shouldn't. Either you have a crack in the cap or the wire is bad and arcing.

Let me know.
Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, November 8th, 2019 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Joe,

Hi, I am scratching my head. Now I am not getting any spark at all at the points. I may have placed too many fiber washers between contact points. Could you look at the photo that is attached that shows details of points, condenser and hot wire connections?
Please let me know your findings.

Thanks,

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 10th, 2019 AT 9:41 AM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Joe, please read previous email. Also, I used a multi meter, grounded one multi meter wire and touched points when opened using the meter, got 8.25 volts. When points were closed there were zero volts. Also when opening and closing points I could hear a clicking sound within the coil.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 10th, 2019 AT 12:13 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,278 POSTS
Kenny:

The idea that you are hearing a click from the coil confuses me. Are you certain the coil is good?

I am going to ask the owner of the site to jump in. He is an excellent mechanic and may see something I am missing. You should see a reply from Ken.

Joe
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, November 10th, 2019 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,973 POSTS
The videos help best, but can I ask if the points are sparking when you crank the engine over? Also check the continuity of the power pole through the distributor make sure it does not ground out.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 12:15 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
Hi, thank you for getting back to me. You said to do a continuity test on the Power Pole, are you talking about the main shaft going down into the engine block, the distributor housing? Not certain what the power pole is, unless it is in a newer distributor.

Thanks again,

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, November 11th, 2019 AT 2:23 PM
Tiny
KRBLUCKY
  • MEMBER
  • 27 POSTS
HI, I used the multi meter, I set it to continuity where the meter beeps. I placed the red probe on the screw from the points on the
outside of distributor. I took the black probe and touched the distributor body on the inside. When the points are closed I get
a beeping sound. When I open the points I don't get a beep. Are the points working correctly or should I try something else?

Thank you,

Kenny
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 7:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,973 POSTS
Do the points spark when the engine is being cranked over? Please send video
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, November 12th, 2019 AT 10:13 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links