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EFV-8 Club Forum / 1940 Ford Discussion / Ignition help, please...

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Discussion Topic: Ignition help, please... -- page: 1 2 3

37RAGTOPMAN

06-05-2024 @ 3:53 PM

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Posts: 1958
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hi
a long shot, but
did you try looking for a intake manifold gasket leaking ?
try using carburetor cleaner spray, just a little at a time and see if the engine runs different,
between the intake and the engine block
hope this helps 37 RAGTOPMAN, ,Maine

682bear

06-06-2024 @ 1:43 AM

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I appreciate all the responses...

I'm fairly sure that I have a vacuum leak, but I think I really need to get the ignition issue fixed first, then work on the vacuum.

To recap: I have installed a new set of plugs, new plug wires, rebuilt distributor, and new condenser. Currently, plug number 8 is not firing. That is verified... it is not firing at all.

The resistance on all the wires... including #8... is good, but #8 is not firing. It isn't a bad plug... there is no fire getting to the plug.

Is this typical of a condenser issue?

I wouldn't think that a weak coil would only cause an issue with only one plug...

I still have the distributor that I took off... I think I'll swap it back on and see if that changes anything. I've also ordered a new condenser from NAPA, but it won't be here until next week.

-Dave

This message was edited by 682bear on 6-6-24 @ 12:19 PM

40 Coupe

06-06-2024 @ 5:26 AM

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Not a condenser issue, condenser will effect all cylinders. Make sure the inner distributor caps are seated correctly into the distributor housings, all of the perimeter of the cap should fit into the casting.

682bear

06-06-2024 @ 9:14 AM

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Yes... just double checked how the caps fit... they are good...

-Dave

This message was edited by 682bear on 6-6-24 @ 12:19 PM

682bear

06-06-2024 @ 12:05 PM

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Ok... I swapped the old distributor and condenser back in...

The car cranks and runs very good... so, to determine whether the distributor or condenser is causing the problem, I then swapped the new condenser back in...

It still runs good... so the newly rebuilt distributor is the issue...

While I had the plug wire/ cap assemblies out to swap the distributors, I looked at the gap between the rotor and the inner cap contacts. There is a significant gap there... much bigger than what I think it should be... (pictures below).

The gaps between the rotor and contacts are smaller in the old distributor... maybe 2/3s that wide... could that be the problem?

I guess I'll try to contact the company that rebuilt the distributor and see what they say about it...

The old distributor still works good, but the points are nearing the end of their useable life. I'll need to have a rebuilt distributor at some point... one that works.

-Dave

This message was edited by 682bear on 6-6-24 @ 12:20 PM

carcrazy

06-06-2024 @ 12:14 PM

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Yes! You have found the problem. From all that you had described prior to you last post, it became apparent that the problem had to be either your rotor or the inner cap on the left side of the distributor. If you continue to have ignition problems, my advice would be to install a new rotor and new inner distributor caps to fix the issues for good.

682bear

06-06-2024 @ 12:18 PM

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Also... since I managed to get the car running smoothly... I hooked up my vacuum guage and adjusted the idle screws. I'm now getting a very smooth vacuum that is between 19.5 and 20...

-Dave

682bear

06-06-2024 @ 12:29 PM

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So... are the new inner caps and rotors (such as the ones that 3rd gen sells) decent quality replacements, or are they 'maybe useable' items like a lot of new parts they sell these days?

Also, can the rotor be replaced without messing with the timing and point settings? Or is this something I need to have a distributor rebuilder do?

Thanks for all the help!

-Bear

carcrazy

06-06-2024 @ 1:15 PM

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The rotor and the inner distributor caps are available from C&G. As for the quality of the parts, you would have to ask them what the source is for their parts.

You may be able to install the rotor yourself but it would be best to have an experienced distributor rebuilder do it to set up the distributor properly and verify its operation on a machine.

https://cgfordparts.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=distributor%20rotor&finder%5B1%5D=4776&finder%5B2%5D=4874&finder%5B3%5D=5058&find=find

37RAGTOPMAN

06-07-2024 @ 6:59 AM

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hi
glad you found the problem with running rich,

who ever rebuilt that distributer, was at falt using the ROTOR for sure,
the contact is all burnt up, must have a lot of arcing,
who did that work ???
would be interesting,
Skip Haney would never send that out of his shop,
you should be able to change the rotor with out setting the points, you will have to remove the snap ring on the back of dist
then pull the shaft out the rotor then can be removed,
if you have old distributer use it as a learning to take apart first,
my 2 cents 37Ragtopman, Maine

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