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06-12-2017, 06:02 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stafford, VA
Posts: 115
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retard spark lever challenge
Developed a first time challenge yesterday...after driving my model A for four years. While driving in second gear I pulled the retard lever down by about one inch and the car stalled. Could not get it started...today it started up first turn...am I missing something? Is the car sending me a "I need to change plugs...points...tune" message...etc. Any help would be appreciated
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06-12-2017, 06:04 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
I think it is sending you the message "the wire between the lower and upper plate is shorting out".
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06-12-2017, 06:05 PM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Maine and SC
Posts: 205
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
My first thought is there is a short in your distributor. Are you using the original type points and lower wire? I'd look at that first.
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06-12-2017, 06:11 PM | #4 |
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Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stafford, VA
Posts: 115
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
That's a new one to me...can you elaborate?
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06-12-2017, 06:14 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stafford, VA
Posts: 115
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
I put in a new distributor with points over a year ago...no issues. Not sure what you mean by lower wire...
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06-12-2017, 06:36 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
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Terry |
06-12-2017, 07:04 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,131
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
Under the top plate of the distributor there is a lower plate. They are electrically connected together by a fine multi-strand insulated wire. One end is connected to the buss bar where the pop-out cable connects. The other end is connected to the stud that is part of the moveable points. Each time the spark advance handle is moved, the wire moves. It is important that the wire be a correct multi-strand, it also has to be routed under the top plate correctly. After the lug is attached to the points it must be bent straight up so that as the plate rotates with the spark advance it does not touch the casting and short out.
After a distributor is assembled, but not installed it should be checked with an ohm meter. Put a business card between the points. Put one lead on the arm of the points, the other lead anywhere on the casting. Rotate the spark advance through its range to see if there is a short. Tom Endy |
06-12-2017, 07:09 PM | #8 |
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Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 1,578
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
Here are some pictures...
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showp...5&postcount=32 And another thread on the subject.. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...82#post1478782
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06-12-2017, 07:25 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: St Clair, Michigan
Posts: 395
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
I already had trouble with mine when I put in a modern style upper and lower plate.
Put the old stuff right back on with a new connection wire (remember to make sure it's bent away from anything it can make contact with) all is good now!
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Isaiah B. 1928 all metal Tudor |
06-14-2017, 06:42 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Stafford, VA
Posts: 115
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
Thanks guys...I will give it a chance...
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06-15-2017, 07:18 AM | #11 |
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 777
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Re: retard spark lever challenge
There is a very high quality wire called noodle wire available at some Radio Control Model stores.
It is a very flexible multi strand wire with a silicone jacket. Some of the lower wires are hard and cheap and break which will cause intermittent contact. There is some soldering and fitting involved. This has been a very good fix on my distributors. |
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