Inner distributor caps

[Charlie ny]

I'm hoping to not stir up the pot......BUT........what is the most practical
method to test for continuity from side to side on '32 to '48 inner distributor
caps. I've always been most happy when my cheap little test light flashes
on. I'm sure then that I have a clear power path to the plugs. I've been
informed that the light is over kill and an ohm meter with a low reading is
fine. My critic danced around the 'low' ohm reading. I'm still learnin'
Charlie ny

[Kurt in NJ]

My growler is plugged in most times--- it has the 110 volt test light--- running the probe around on the insulation near the contact sometimes shows a carbon track too

[42 1/2ton]

Charlie, in my opinion, using the test lamp like you are is a good way to test. I use a digital meter with an audible tone that way I don't even have to look at the meter I just listen for the tone.

[Lawrie]

In the service bulletins there is a plan to make one using a model T coil,I made one and its great for checking the HT components,
Lawrie

[Charlie ny]

Guys,
I spoke at length to Jim Linder. I hope I'm quoting him close to correct.......
If the test light lights you are golden...........however.........no sweat if you get even
20 ohms........there is plenty of volts to cover even that much. My real comfy com-
fort level is to get a light with my cheesey continuity light but I'm not going to worry about 2 or 3 ohms.
Did I get that correct Jim ?
Charlie ny

[Lawson Cox]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Thanks for the education Jim and Charlie. That is something I never even thought about, Thankfully I didn't have to worry about it. LOL

[BUBBAS IGNITION]

Originally Posted by Charlie ny

Guys,
I spoke at length to Jim Linder. I hope I'm quoting him close to correct.......
If the test light lights you are golden...........however.........no sweat if you get even
20 ohms........there is plenty of volts to cover even that much. My real comfy com-
fort level is to get a light with my cheesey continuity light but I'm not going to worry about 2 or 3 ohms.
Did I get that correct Jim ?
Charlie ny

YEP THATS CORRECT.

Seems as over the years there has been a ton of discussion regarding resistance in the primary low voltage side of the ignition system, however theres not much regarding the high tension side .
Spending quite a few years with Allen Testproducts we found there was a ton of diagnostic material regarding the secondary.
As the secondary ignition is actually a "open" circuit the ohm meter doesnt do us much good and the manufactures have in the sake of emissions actually added resistance in some cases. One of the classes we taught we took a 100 ft spool of ignition cable and made a 100 ft spark plug cable and hooked it to a spark plug on a running engine, then had the class find it with a lab scope . It was very hard to find based on the added resistance as it would require only a few hundred volts more than the other cylinders.
The biggest problem concerning resistance in the secondary is in the cylinder with compression, spark plug gap and air fuel mixture ( lean vs rich) The spark has to ignite the hydrocarbons in the fuel .
Think about it the secondary ignition has two open circuits to jump ( the spark plug and the rotor gaps) and adding another small one isnt really a problem...assuming the coil is in good health....