Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-13-2025, 09:39 PM   #61
Bored&Stroked
Senior Member
 
Bored&Stroked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,906
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Plug Wires and Plugs: One of the issues I've seen with crab style distributors is the secondary "jumping" around the cap when you put too much resistance into the secondary.

I NEVER run resister wires or plugs . . . they will cause all sorts of evils. I've used Packard 440 plug wires for years . . . just hard to find the original stuff these days. There are a lot of modern 'spriral core' wires that have very little resistance, but most of them are 8mm and many are colored (like MSD red). Great stuff . . . just ugly in my mind!

Best of luck . . . you'll get this sorted out!

B&S
Bored&Stroked is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2025, 09:48 PM   #62
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 12,140
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Newer multimeters now have a condenser test function. Full-blown condenser testers have also dropped dramatically in price. It seems the one thing that is cheaper and better these days is anything electronic. I just paid $249.95 for a new 55" "Smart" TV.

"The Brillman Company" has Packard 440 wire (and Rajah plug ends).

Last edited by tubman; 10-13-2025 at 09:55 PM.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 10-14-2025, 06:46 AM   #63
Terry,OH
Senior Member
 
Terry,OH's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 5,395
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

DO not use resistor plugs or plug wires.
Terry,OH is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-03-2025, 08:41 PM   #64
BIG KEV
Member
 
BIG KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Spring Tx
Posts: 50
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Well, after about 400 test miles, I can say my ignition issues are cleared up. Starts all the time. Ultimately, I did a UC12t coil with a ballast resistor. Running autolite spark plugs as well non resistor. Plugs have been looking BEAUTIFUL tan color with a little carbon around the sides where the threaded portion is.

Been fighting a weird issue, Just normal driving city style. Roll into the throttle and she is kinda sputtering till you commit and giver the beans. She will clear out and pull like a raped ape. I picked up some low quality gas on the beach run last month. But she made it down there and back and started and ran good other than this little sputtering. I pulled the carbs off, ran through em again, cleaned everything. Nada.

I have made 2 good Large logo 97s out of 3 carbs, but these really have been doing well other than this. 67 power valve and 45 jet.

Got a bonus and took advantage of the sales going on and got two new (Real) Stromberg 97s. Stock 45 jets and 65 PV.
Put them on and expected better. Idle the car sounds alot less radical. (Sounds barely over stock now)
I have my idle mixture screws 5/8 turn out all 4 of em. And the Throttle adjust screws are almost all the way out. My idle vac dropped 4 lbs as well.

I'll keep screwing with it. But really disappointed that I spent the money and expected more out of the new carbs. Honestly considering sending them back. I have reached out to Uncle Max a few times with no return call or email. I wanted to buy from him honestly, but I've called a few times and emailed as well. No response. Hope he is ok.

Pic of the old gal making it to the beach the long way. We had a blast.

IMG_9120.jpg
BIG KEV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-04-2025, 01:26 AM   #65
petehoovie
Senior Member
 
petehoovie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 11,645
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by BIG KEV View Post
Well, after about 400 test miles, I can say my ignition issues are cleared up. Starts all the time. Ultimately, I did a UC12t coil with a ballast resistor. Running autolite spark plugs as well non resistor. Plugs have been looking BEAUTIFUL tan color with a little carbon around the sides where the threaded portion is.

Been fighting a weird issue, Just normal driving city style. Roll into the throttle and she is kinda sputtering till you commit and giver the beans. She will clear out and pull like a raped ape. I picked up some low quality gas on the beach run last month. But she made it down there and back and started and ran good other than this little sputtering. I pulled the carbs off, ran through em again, cleaned everything. Nada.

I have made 2 good Large logo 97s out of 3 carbs, but these really have been doing well other than this. 67 power valve and 45 jet.

Got a bonus and took advantage of the sales going on and got two new (Real) Stromberg 97s. Stock 45 jets and 65 PV.
Put them on and expected better. Idle the car sounds alot less radical. (Sounds barely over stock now)
I have my idle mixture screws 5/8 turn out all 4 of em. And the Throttle adjust screws are almost all the way out. My idle vac dropped 4 lbs as well.

I'll keep screwing with it. But really disappointed that I spent the money and expected more out of the new carbs. Honestly considering sending them back. I have reached out to Uncle Max a few times with no return call or email. I wanted to buy from him honestly, but I've called a few times and emailed as well. No response. Hope he is ok.

Pic of the old gal making it to the beach the long way. We had a blast.
__________________


petehoovie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2025, 10:17 PM   #66
BIG KEV
Member
 
BIG KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Spring Tx
Posts: 50
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Thanks PETE.

Well, Doing a yearly checkup, figured Id run the valves as they have been a bit noisy lately. Get the intake off and found one valve not sitting right.. Tried adjusting it, no lash. Ok, rocked the keeper and it fell apart. So 1 side of the keeper is in the oil pan, the other was holding this valve together on the spring BARELY. It was variable valve timing and spring pressure. Hope for a good test drive tomorrow.

So went to oreilly, got a few new keepers and put it back together, Valve was undamaged thankfully. Fired her up tonight and running good. The Motominder is much more stable on vac, so evidently this has been an issue going on for a bit. I am honestly amazed 1 keeper was holding the valve spring on. Other than that, everything inside looks stellar and clean. No sludge or weird buildup anywhere.






Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_9310.jpg (43.6 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_9311.jpg (114.6 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_9314.jpg (91.8 KB, 63 views)
BIG KEV is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-06-2025, 11:38 PM   #67
cas3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beverly Kansas
Posts: 5,558
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Did you get the "extra" keeper out of the oil pan?
cas3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-10-2025, 08:16 PM   #68
BIG KEV
Member
 
BIG KEV's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Spring Tx
Posts: 50
Default Re: Ignition Issues, Crab distributor

Quote:
Originally Posted by cas3 View Post
Did you get the "extra" keeper out of the oil pan?
Not yet....
BIG KEV is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:21 AM.