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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 36 flathead running on 7 cylinders

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Posted By Discussion Topic: 36 flathead running on 7 cylinders -- page: 1 2 3     Buckd44 10-18-2015 @ 5:29 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 24 Joined: Oct 2015 I'm not getting spark on one cylinder. Attached is a picture of the lead ends of the wires. I'm new to this, not sure if it normal wear or what they should look like. Thanks Nate This message was edited by Buckd44 on 10-18-15 @ 5:53 PM 40cpe 10-18-2015 @ 7:01 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 472 Joined: Jan 2010 Pictures can be deceiving, but if that is oil on/around the upper left terminal it could be shorting out. I would wash thoroughly , dry, reinstall and see if it improves. I also see damaged insulation ring around the lower lower right terminal. If the dead plug is on the side fed by that cap it shows you are on the right track. Also ohm the plug wire and move a spark plug to the dead cylinder. You seem certain that there is no fire, but low/no compression will cause a miss. Good luck and let us know how you resolve the problem. drkbp 10-18-2015 @ 8:14 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 180 Joined: Aug 2010 Buck, 40cpe has probably nailed it from the way your inner cap looks. Oily. Is it cylinder number two (#6) on the driver's side that is acting up? The cylinders are numbered 1-4 on the right bank (passenger side) and 5-8 on the left bank (driver's side). That is the one that is dirty on the lower left of your cap picture if I have my head on right tonight. The lower two contacts are to the first and second cylinders on the driver's side, #5 and #6. That is the inner cap off a three screw biscuit coil '33-early '36 distributor, correct? The inner caps are numbered on the other side as to which cylinder wire goes on which contact. Whenever you get a couple of new ones, you should see the numbers on the wire side. I wouldn't take it apart until you get two new ones so you can put each wire right back in the correct spot on the inner cap. The late 1936 flat top coil distributor has the inner cap line up slot on the bottom of the driver's side of the distributor, on the top of the passenger side and uses a different inner cap. Please let us know what happens... Ken in Texas This message was edited by drkbp on 10-18-15 @ 8:54 PM 40 Coupe 10-19-2015 @ 4:51 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1674 Joined: Oct 2009 Argentina cap is old reproduction part of dubious quality. I would change it out for a new. drkbp is correct about there being two different distributors for 36 the early style uses the same inner cap as 33-35 and the later distributor with the flat top and held to the distributor with two screws uses the same cap as 37-41 sometimes you have to use some sandpaper on the cap to get it to fit properly (snug and all the way inserted) into the slot and recess of the distributor. Make sure the plug wire is plugged into the cap all the way and the wire has good continuity also check the plug gap 0.025 even swap the plug out for one that is firing correctly. This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 10-19-15 @ 4:52 AM Buckd44 10-19-2015 @ 12:49 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 24 Joined: Oct 2015 Attached are more pictures. Can you determine what year cap I need by them. Also what brand of replacement is recommended. Nate 40 Coupe 10-21-2015 @ 3:10 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1674 Joined: Oct 2009 You have the earlier 36 style distributor the 33-36 caps are what you need. trjford8 10-21-2015 @ 7:06 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 4214 Joined: Oct 2009 I agree with 40 coupe. Argentine caps are definitely of questionable quality. Buckd44 10-21-2015 @ 5:07 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 24 Joined: Oct 2015 Thanks guys for the input. What I found is a get weak/intermediate spark at that cylinder. After the Rev of the engine, it doesn't spark at all. I thought about replacing everything. Distributor, rotor, coil and wires. Assuming the aforementioned poor quality parts. Thoughts? Or missing anything? Thanks a bunch, Nate 40 Coupe 10-23-2015 @ 4:53 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1674 Joined: Oct 2009 I suggest having the Ford coil rebuilt and the distributor reconditioned. Skip Haney can do both he is in Fla. see V8 Times ads. This way he can supply the inner distributor cap and check the ignition condenser, another somewhat problem area. He will also run the distributor on his machine and set the timing. TomO 10-23-2015 @ 8:08 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7250 Joined: Oct 2009 Nate, You have never answered the question about which cylinder does not have spark. The Argentine made inner caps were poor quality and could be the cause of your problem, but the wire to the failing cylinder could also be the problem. I doubt that the coil or condenser could cause a weak or no spark at one cylinder and replacing them or having your distributor timing set will solve the problem. The Argentine reproductions had a problem keeping the rotor to contact clearance within specifications. This led too broken rotors and caps that had grooves in the contacts. Both conditions could cause a miss. I would look for USA made inner contact plates. They have brass contacts. Bob Drake began reproducing the inner caps (P/N 18-12116) a few years ago. I have no experience with them, but you may want to order 2 to replace your Argentine reproductions, if you cannot find USA made old stock. I would also take a good look at the rotor. It may have been damaged by contact with the inner cap contacts. Tom This message was edited by TomO on 10-23-15 @ 8:11 AM

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