The Ford Barn

dean333 · 10-02-2023, 10:10 AM

Fun times ahead. Drove 41 miles to a car show yesterday, averaged 50-55 mph, ran great. 21 miles into trip home in 85 degree weather it just quit running. Noticed ammeter wasn’t charging beforehand, showed discharge when braking and went back to just below zero when resuming the drive. After dying out cranks like it has no spark. Checked after sitting 45 minutes and 2 hours, no go. Came home on the tow truck. Checked 6 hours later, same. I plan on troubleshooting later today. It’s all stock with the helmet distributor and dome top coil.

Kens 36 · 10-02-2023, 10:13 AM

Tim, you need to track down why it is not charging. You probably didn't have enough voltage to keep the engine running. Check the cutout operation. Adjust the generator third brush and check voltage output.

dean333 · 10-02-2023, 01:12 PM

With the ignition on I have 3.4 volts to the coil……from the ignition wire to the generator cutout and ground I have continuity……key on I have 6V between the ignition wire terminal on the cutout and the ground terminal.

jimTN · 10-02-2023, 03:47 PM

Condenser or coil most likely if your are getting current to the coil. Its easier to check charging problems if the engine is running.

super flat · 10-03-2023, 12:00 PM

I would first chard your battery.

highbeams · 10-04-2023, 10:30 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Coil Culprit? I understand some of us carry an emergency coil for just this type incident. Thank you -

(happend with my '68 Mustang I was perrrrplexed until a local mechanic enlightened me with "Check the coil. Be sure the system is grounded; i.e., rusty,dirty ground connection."

Ron Pilger · 10-06-2023, 08:54 PM

As I read this post, it seems to me that the battery still had enough cranking amps in reserve to crank over the dead engine. Is it certain that the ammeter is functioning properly? This needs to be clarified before replacing other electrical components, in my mind.

dean333 · 10-06-2023, 10:54 PM

I have 3.4 volts to the coil, no spark at the plugs. Going to remove the dome top coil and install a coil conversion kit that I have on hand.

Terry,OH · 10-07-2023, 07:53 AM

3.4V from the coil terminal to ground is proper with the distributor points closed. With the distributor points open the voltage will go to 6 V.

dean333 · 10-07-2023, 06:43 PM

The car started right up after I installed the coil conversion kit with new coil and condenser. I was retorquing the intake manifold, barely brushed against the throttle control rod and it snapped in half. The rod is 9 1/4” long. The previous owner bought a new rod from Vintique, it was in a box of spare parts. Trouble is it’s 11 1/4”, a smidge too long.

10-02-2023, 10:10 AM	#1
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 862	33 stopped running Fun times ahead. Drove 41 miles to a car show yesterday, averaged 50-55 mph, ran great. 21 miles into trip home in 85 degree weather it just quit running. Noticed ammeter wasn’t charging beforehand, showed discharge when braking and went back to just below zero when resuming the drive. After dying out cranks like it has no spark. Checked after sitting 45 minutes and 2 hours, no go. Came home on the tow truck. Checked 6 hours later, same. I plan on troubleshooting later today. It’s all stock with the helmet distributor and dome top coil. __________________ Tim Carlig

10-02-2023, 10:13 AM	#2
Kens 36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 376	Re: 33 stopped running Tim, you need to track down why it is not charging. You probably didn't have enough voltage to keep the engine running. Check the cutout operation. Adjust the generator third brush and check voltage output. __________________ https://www.nirgv8.org

10-02-2023, 01:12 PM	#3
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 862	Re: 33 stopped running With the ignition on I have 3.4 volts to the coil……from the ignition wire to the generator cutout and ground I have continuity……key on I have 6V between the ignition wire terminal on the cutout and the ground terminal. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 10-02-2023 at 01:49 PM.

10-02-2023, 03:47 PM	#4
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: 33 stopped running Condenser or coil most likely if your are getting current to the coil. Its easier to check charging problems if the engine is running.

10-03-2023, 12:00 PM	#5
super flat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: west bend wi Posts: 314	Re: 33 stopped running I would first chard your battery. __________________ I am usually relatively happy------Gary

10-04-2023, 10:30 PM	#6
highbeams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: California Posts: 802	Re: 33 stopped running Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Coil Culprit? I understand some of us carry an emergency coil for just this type incident. Thank you - (happend with my '68 Mustang I was perrrrplexed until a local mechanic enlightened me with "Check the coil. Be sure the system is grounded; i.e., rusty,dirty ground connection." Last edited by highbeams; 10-04-2023 at 10:36 PM. Reason: addition

10-06-2023, 08:54 PM	#7
Ron Pilger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camrose, Alberta Posts: 396	Re: 33 stopped running As I read this post, it seems to me that the battery still had enough cranking amps in reserve to crank over the dead engine. Is it certain that the ammeter is functioning properly? This needs to be clarified before replacing other electrical components, in my mind.

10-06-2023, 10:54 PM	#8
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 862	Re: 33 stopped running I have 3.4 volts to the coil, no spark at the plugs. Going to remove the dome top coil and install a coil conversion kit that I have on hand. __________________ Tim Carlig

10-07-2023, 07:53 AM	#9
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: 33 stopped running 3.4V from the coil terminal to ground is proper with the distributor points closed. With the distributor points open the voltage will go to 6 V.

10-07-2023, 06:43 PM	#10
dean333 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Shorewood Illinois Posts: 862	Re: 33 stopped running The car started right up after I installed the coil conversion kit with new coil and condenser. I was retorquing the intake manifold, barely brushed against the throttle control rod and it snapped in half. The rod is 9 1/4” long. The previous owner bought a new rod from Vintique, it was in a box of spare parts. Trouble is it’s 11 1/4”, a smidge too long. __________________ Tim Carlig Last edited by dean333; 10-09-2023 at 12:13 PM.