The Ford Barn

Henry Ford IV · 12-19-2025, 10:06 AM

Trying to start the car for the first time in 20 years. Is this the correct terminal to wire the distributor? If so, then its probably the points. I don't want to take the distributor off until I verify the wiring.

35fordtn · 12-19-2025, 10:57 AM

The red wire goes to the brass nut on the coil. If you have 3-4 volts at the red wire and still not firing it is the coil, condensor, or distributor. Sitting for that long i'd advise sending it all off and having it gone through.

petehoovie · 12-19-2025, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry Ford IV

Trying to start the car for the first time in 20 years. Is this the correct terminal to wire the distributor? If so, then its probably the points. I don't want to take the distributor off until I verify the wiring.

richard crow · 12-23-2025, 08:27 PM

simple way yo check the points.remove the coil take a test light connect one end to a hot lead now take the pointed end hold it where the coil spring looking thing contacks the points have some one push the starter button light should blink if it dont points are not making contack if light stays lite points are not opening if light blinks dist. is ok

cas3 · 12-25-2025, 01:19 AM

The first thing I do when trying to start a car thats been sitting for a long time is clean the points with sandpaper, or a point file if you have one. Next verify you have spark, if so...start her up

Ggmac · 12-25-2025, 07:07 AM

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Agree with cas3 . The point usually have a deposit on them from sitting. Just do as cas3 suggested first .

Terry,OH · 12-25-2025, 07:39 AM

Yes the Red wire to the coil and the larger diameter yellow/Black wire is the output of the generator cutout.
Suggest you get a copy of the V8 Club restoration book for 35-36. It can answer many questions and has the wiring details.

12-19-2025, 10:57 AM	#2
35fordtn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: McMinnville, TN Posts: 2,468	Re: No Spark 35 Ford The red wire goes to the brass nut on the coil. If you have 3-4 volts at the red wire and still not firing it is the coil, condensor, or distributor. Sitting for that long i'd advise sending it all off and having it gone through.

12-23-2025, 08:27 PM	#4
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,908	Re: No Spark 35 Ford simple way yo check the points.remove the coil take a test light connect one end to a hot lead now take the pointed end hold it where the coil spring looking thing contacks the points have some one push the starter button light should blink if it dont points are not making contack if light stays lite points are not opening if light blinks dist. is ok

12-25-2025, 01:19 AM	#5
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beverly Kansas Posts: 5,557	Re: No Spark 35 Ford The first thing I do when trying to start a car thats been sitting for a long time is clean the points with sandpaper, or a point file if you have one. Next verify you have spark, if so...start her up

12-25-2025, 07:07 AM	#6
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,466	Re: No Spark 35 Ford Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Agree with cas3 . The point usually have a deposit on them from sitting. Just do as cas3 suggested first .

12-25-2025, 07:39 AM	#7
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,394	Re: No Spark 35 Ford Yes the Red wire to the coil and the larger diameter yellow/Black wire is the output of the generator cutout. Suggest you get a copy of the V8 Club restoration book for 35-36. It can answer many questions and has the wiring details.