47 V8 ignition mystery

[Old Henry]

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

Craig, any updates?

The flathead specialist, Dr. Charles "Charlie" Schwendler in New York, has reported in Old Henry's medical records the following:

1/21 I found issues with both sets of points, they will be in the box. I'm guessing neither set had many hours...one set was drastically cratered the other set OK except the stationary half had an erosion of the movable arm contact into it's contact. Both sets replaced ( arms on these are bushed).
I could make the spring loaded connector (pn 12322) fail, so that is replaced.
The big bushing diameter on the rotor shaft had the usual wear and out of round condition , .005+ and .002 resp. I turned the diameter
straight and round and machined an undersize bushing to fit.....0014 clearance..

1/23 Everything is ready to ship. My e mail to you yesterday highlighted what I found. I ran your distributor today and it tested perfectly as far as the distributor is concerned. There was a definate occasional snapping sound which turned out to be an ignition ground between the spark plug wires and the engine block. This issue was eliminated when I ran your distributor with my cap and wires. If you wish I can make up a set of wires....I exclusively use
BELDEN 7MM stainless metal core wires....with black 2 ply 'rubber' insulation....both ends are soldered. From your old posts , years back, on the Barn I seem to think you'd prefer to make new wires yourself.

[I told him to make new wires]

1/26 The new spark plugs wires are installed , the test motor runs great. Each plug exhibits a fat blue spark when shorted and rpm is equally reduced when the plugs are individually shorted. 22 feet of wire was used. I recycled the spark plug ends...both ends are soldered. The cap ends have boots installed. Coil wire made same material as SP wires. Original cap and rotor in good condition.

1/31 Shipped today by USPS...due WED.
Thanks,
Charlie

THAT'S TODAY!
I'm so excited to get Old Henry back "on the road again."