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Old 10-01-2018, 01:09 PM   #1
ford2831
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Default No fire to plugs

Hi I have no fire to plugs after replacing dist body and rotor and cap

Timing set. Spark at points. No spark at points . Any ideas??
It’s my Dad, Bill Johnson’s L 31 Panel Delivery
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Old 10-01-2018, 01:36 PM   #2
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Search YouTube for ignition 101. Get a test light or volt meter and chase down your problem. Not much to the model a ign.
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Old 10-01-2018, 01:54 PM   #3
Kurt in NJ
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Have you tried putting old parts back
Do you have spark at coil wire?
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Old 10-01-2018, 01:56 PM   #4
30 Closed Cab PU
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Is your ignition key on? Also, original style pop out ignition switches require you to push them in for ignition.


If not familiar with As, the only thing the ignition does is hook up the primary of the ignition coil, does not turn off head lights, starter, or anything else.


Do the headlights/dash light work, if yes then you know the fuse on top of the starter is ok and the battery is attached.


If the fuse on top of the starter is bad the starter still works since the starter is not fused. Lights and ignition will not work if the fuse is bad. so if the starter works, lights do not, check the fuse.
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Old 10-01-2018, 02:10 PM   #5
Marshall V. Daut
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Some repo distributor bodies from the 1990's have internal cracks that stop electricity from reaching the plugs, especially in cold or damp/rainy weather. Try putting the replaced parts back on ONE AT A TIME, beginning with the black plastic distributor body.
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Old 10-01-2018, 03:01 PM   #6
Will N
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

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Quote:
Originally Posted by ford2831 View Post
Hi I have no fire to plugs after replacing dist body and rotor and cap

Timing set. Spark at points. No spark at points . Any ideas??
It’s my Dad, Bill Johnson’s L 31 Panel Delivery

You say spark at points, no spark at points. So you have in intermittent issue. I've seen where the ignition switch in the dashboard can be the culprit for symptoms like this. The original equipment pop-out switch can be fussy sometimes. And the replacement on/off switches sometimes get sloppy and don't make good contact. If you have the replacement on/off style, you can try bypassing the switch by connecting the two wires directly.
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Old 10-01-2018, 04:28 PM   #7
midgetracer
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

"Is your ignition key on? Also, original style pop out ignition switches require you to push them in for ignition."

Pop out must be out to have ignition power. I think the above quote is wrong. In is off on my cars.
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Old 10-01-2018, 04:37 PM   #8
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

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Originally Posted by midgetracer View Post
"Is your ignition key on? Also, original style pop out ignition switches require you to push them in for ignition."

Pop out must be out to have ignition power. I think the above quote is wrong. In is off on my cars.


Thanks for the correction, I do not have that style of switch, and got it wrong.
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Old 10-01-2018, 05:55 PM   #9
daren007
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Check for voltage at the points. You probably screwed the armored cable into the distributor too far.
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Old 10-02-2018, 12:37 PM   #10
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Quote:
Originally Posted by ford2831 View Post
Hi I have no fire to plugs after replacing dist body and rotor and cap

Timing set. Spark at points. No spark at points . Any ideas??
It’s my Dad, Bill Johnson’s L 31 Panel Delivery
I had a no start, cleaned the points and still no start, I found the rotor sitting on the head :-( It’s easy to do when your in a hurry to make a show :-)
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Old 10-02-2018, 09:20 PM   #11
Tom Wesenberg
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

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I had a no start, cleaned the points and still no start, I found the rotor sitting on the head :-( It’s easy to do when your in a hurry to make a show :-)
I also did that once. Another time the plugs wouldn't fire while using the starter, but when I hand cranked the engine, it fired right off. After running a few minutes, all was back to normal.
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Old 10-03-2018, 10:06 AM   #12
Will N
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

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Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
I also did that once. Another time the plugs wouldn't fire while using the starter, but when I hand cranked the engine, it fired right off. After running a few minutes, all was back to normal.
When it will start by hand crank but not with the starter is usually a sign of a problem with the coil. The voltage soaked up by the starter doesn't leave enough for a weak coil to create a hot enough spark, but with the full battery voltage available during hand cranking, a weak coil could fire the engine off.
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Old 10-04-2018, 10:09 AM   #13
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Did you have the distributor off the cable connection?Sometimes one can screw it back in too far on reassembly and short it so no power to points. Possible to be on the fringe there and have intermittent power.
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Old 10-04-2018, 11:46 AM   #14
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

Agree with post #9...armored cable into the distributor too far
Back it off and just screw in in til lightly hand snug...give that a try
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Old 10-04-2018, 04:53 PM   #15
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

No body home?
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Old 10-04-2018, 04:55 PM   #16
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

the last time he was on when he posted the question 10-1-2018
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Old 10-06-2018, 09:48 AM   #17
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Default Re: No fire to plugs

This is not "he" but Vanessa Johnson, the late Bill Johnson's daughter, who owns BJ's Model A Parts in Alexandria, Indiana. You might remember her as the Indiana Model A Lady on the Pickers show. Maybe someone near Alexandria can give her a hand. Maybe she's busy selling parts and not able to get on the barn!
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