Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Flathead ignition Points or Electronic?

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: Flathead ignition Points or Electronic? -- page: 1 2

Dipper005

09-21-2016 @ 7:48 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Nov 2009

Hi guys. I just put in electronic ignition in my 1948 Ford Flathead and the right flamethrower coil for the setup. Wired according to instructions. I left everything still 6 volt positive ground. The engine starts and runs beautiful then shuts down in about a minute. Wondering if anyone else has done this and what I need to know. The only thing that is installed different right now is the new coil. I've got it tipped at a downward angle, so I can reach the coil wire for now. Maybe that's a no no. I hope so. Thanks for any help or advise on this conversion.

ken ct.

09-21-2016 @ 8:02 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1513
Joined: Jan 2010

Welcome to the world of electronics. You should have left it an original points setup,dont try to reinvent the wheel. omo ken ct. They worked just fine for 70 yrs.

pauls39coupe

09-21-2016 @ 8:38 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 205
Joined: Jul 2014

Amen to Ken's reply, but what is done is done. Try turning the coil up right, as some oil filled coils don't like to run inverted.
Are you sure this is a spark issue? Have you checked for spark immediately after the engine stops?
Your other post mentions a clicking noise. It is possible the fuel pump is failing, thus the noise and the engine could be running out of fuel. Take a look down the carburetor when the engine stops, to see if you have fuel.
Please post back to let us know what you found.

Dipper005

09-21-2016 @ 9:00 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Nov 2009

You may be right and I'll problably switch back to the points. Just thought I could run a system I didn't have to worry about cleaning and adjusting because of it being in such a wonderful spot.

Dipper005

09-21-2016 @ 9:23 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Nov 2009

Again, I probably will go back to the point set up. Just thought I could get away from messing with the points sometimes after the car sits for awhile. There not that easy to get at. With the points the car would run good sometimes and the next time I start it,it wouldn't. I checked for spark after it stopped idleing and there was spark there. I know this cause I grabbed the spark plug wire while cracking to make sure. Checked to see if gas was getting to the carb and there was. That's why I asked if maybe the coil being tipped down was touchy. I'll tip up the coil and extend the coil wire and try it again. I have a rebuilt carb, fuel pump, and starter on this 48 Flathead V8. The 6 volt battery is older but I left my charger on it while cranking, and running. Just hear the fast clicking while cranking, not while it idles. Any thoughts. Thanks.

pauls39coupe

09-21-2016 @ 7:36 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 205
Joined: Jul 2014

Clicking when cranking only? The starter may have something loose inside. I would also look at the flywheel ring gear for damaged teeth.
You should see a nice blue spark about 3/16" long if you hold the plug wire off the plug. Use something insulated to keep from getting poked. If the spark is yellow or won't jump the gap, your problem is electrical.
Try contacting the EI manufacturer they may have an answer. If you had a original system I would look at the condenser or the coil as a source of your problem.
Just a thought, do you still have a resister in the system? It may be heating up then breaking the circuit temporarily.

Drbrown

09-21-2016 @ 8:56 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 570
Joined: Nov 2013

Now for something different .... I've had Electronic for years with no problems. I have a spare set-up in the trunk when doing trips. Recommend you consult with Jim at Bubba's. He does points and electronic systems.

Dipper005

09-22-2016 @ 10:44 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 12
Joined: Nov 2009

Thanks for the reply. I had taken off the resistor with the old coil, and the resistor from the distributor. I also bypassed the ignition and hooked directly to the battery, just to make sure there wasn't some resistance in the switch. That is how it acted though, run for a little while then shut off. Bought a new battery for it this morning just in case I wasn't getting enough volts to the distributor, and will turn the coil upright this afternoon. I'll let you know what happens. Thanks again.

40topless

10-06-2016 @ 11:57 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 38
Joined: Jun 2015

I have gone thru 2 electronic units. Threw them over the cliff and went back to the point set up and what a relief!! Never again will I use electronic set up.

Drbrown

10-06-2016 @ 9:12 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 570
Joined: Nov 2013

Did you have your electronic unit and coil tested and set-up by a professional ? Is your electronic unit specifically made for positive ground ? Electronic units typically have compensaters and have certain minimum and maximum voltage limitations i.e.in your case say 25% under or over 6 volts. Generators and alternators also pose the problem of voltage "spikes". Bench testing them may indicate a problem. All this may result in shut-downs.

If you have a Pentronix unit phone the factory on a week day and discuss the problem with one of their technicians. I had to wait on-hold a few minutes but found them very helpful. If your unit is a Pentronix, they are warranted for 30 months from date of sale.

This message was edited by Drbrown on 10-6-16 @ 9:36 PM

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions