The Ford Barn

nellis003 · 11-25-2023, 05:57 PM

Hi All,

I'm hoping you can help me figure this out on short notice.

My father passed away this past Sunday. He was a Ford guy his whole life, and is the reason I love old cars. We even worked together for a few years, buying/repairing/selling old cars, mostly Fords from the teens to the sixties.

His funeral is this Monday, and I've been trying to get his 1947 Ford Convertible up and running so we can have it in the procession, but for the life of me I can't get her to start.

I have a well-charged Optima battery that seems to be grounded well. When I pull a sparkplug and hold it to the head, I see a spark (but I can't tell if it's strong enough for ignition). I spray starter fluid down the carb and crank the engine, but she won't even cough. The engine is just turning with no combustion at all.

I thought maybe it could be a timing issue, but the car ran when it was parked a few years back, so I can't imagine the timing would now be so far off that I wouldn't get any combustion at all.

I basically have the rest of today and then tomorrow before the wake to figure this out, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Thanks in advance,
Nick

Ggmac · 11-25-2023, 06:09 PM

Sorry for your loss. Are there any hidden switches for electric fuel pump to prime the carb ?
If you take the air cleaner off and look down the throat, open the throttle and look for fuel .
I doubt its timing . If you have spark , check after dark and have someone crank while looking at the distributor and plugs , look for any arching.
You could temporarily run a jumper wire to the coil , giving it full voltage while cranking , just to see if it fires . Do not leave it on if it fires .
Is it still 6 volt pos earty or different?

nellis003 · 11-25-2023, 06:44 PM

Thank you.

At this point I'm just trying to get it to fire off starting fluid - I figure I'll tackle any fuel delivery issues if I can get it to fire.

I'll check for arcing while I crank the engine, thanks for the tip!

It's still on six volts, and I'm using a modern 6v coil that states that it doesn't need an external resistor.

I suspect the condenser - does anyone know if they can be found locally?

FortyNiner · 11-25-2023, 08:29 PM

Give Napa a call - they may have them in stock or readily available.

Sorry for your loss.

1942deluxe · 11-25-2023, 08:52 PM

The NAPA number I think is FA 54. Another number that Charlie NY recommended when he did my distributor was IH 200. Also NAPA.

JayChicago · 11-25-2023, 10:53 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I am on the northwest side of Chicago, and I have the day free tomorrow, Sunday. I am no expert, and it sounds like you know what you are doing, so I probably won't be able to offer much. But sometimes another set of eyes... I have two new condensers I can bring.

If you want, call me at: (deleted; don't need a computer bot to find it, add to robocall lists)

marko39 · 11-26-2023, 08:16 AM

do a compression test to see if you have any stuck valves.

nellis003 · 11-26-2023, 09:20 AM

Many thanks to everyone who pitched in with suggestions, and especially Jay who offered to come out and help. It’s snowing by me right now, and tomorrow it’s going to be pretty cold, so I’ve decided it’s best to postpone getting the car on the road until the Spring.

This is one of the reasons I love this community. Thanks for the help. I’ll keep you all posted on how things go with the car. It’s been in the family for over 25 years, and I intend to keep it in the family for a lot longer, so hopefully I’ll have some stories around having it running in the Spring for ice cream runs with my nieces and nephews.

Thanks again,
Nick

Als48 · 11-27-2023, 11:09 AM

Nellis,

I would take a quick look at the points, as well, as they often corrode when stored for a longer period. A quick cleanup with a point file or emery cloth might do the trick.

Al Hook

sugarmaker · 11-27-2023, 11:22 AM

Nick,
Our condolences to you and your family. Your Dad and you worked on these cars a lot. They have a way of sending us messages. Lots of folks will be here to help you when you have time to get back to his Ford.
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

slowforty · 11-28-2023, 07:45 AM

If you have a coil with an internal resistor. Make sure the original resistor is removed.
I dont remember wehere it is located on a 47

11-25-2023, 05:57 PM	#1
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 153	Trying to start a '47 Hi All, I'm hoping you can help me figure this out on short notice. My father passed away this past Sunday. He was a Ford guy his whole life, and is the reason I love old cars. We even worked together for a few years, buying/repairing/selling old cars, mostly Fords from the teens to the sixties. His funeral is this Monday, and I've been trying to get his 1947 Ford Convertible up and running so we can have it in the procession, but for the life of me I can't get her to start. I have a well-charged Optima battery that seems to be grounded well. When I pull a sparkplug and hold it to the head, I see a spark (but I can't tell if it's strong enough for ignition). I spray starter fluid down the carb and crank the engine, but she won't even cough. The engine is just turning with no combustion at all. I thought maybe it could be a timing issue, but the car ran when it was parked a few years back, so I can't imagine the timing would now be so far off that I wouldn't get any combustion at all. I basically have the rest of today and then tomorrow before the wake to figure this out, so if anyone has any suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance, Nick

11-25-2023, 06:09 PM	#2
Ggmac Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Lake worth Florida Posts: 1,104	Re: Trying to start a '47 Sorry for your loss. Are there any hidden switches for electric fuel pump to prime the carb ? If you take the air cleaner off and look down the throat, open the throttle and look for fuel . I doubt its timing . If you have spark , check after dark and have someone crank while looking at the distributor and plugs , look for any arching. You could temporarily run a jumper wire to the coil , giving it full voltage while cranking , just to see if it fires . Do not leave it on if it fires . Is it still 6 volt pos earty or different?

11-25-2023, 06:44 PM	#3
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 153	Re: Trying to start a '47 Thank you. At this point I'm just trying to get it to fire off starting fluid - I figure I'll tackle any fuel delivery issues if I can get it to fire. I'll check for arcing while I crank the engine, thanks for the tip! It's still on six volts, and I'm using a modern 6v coil that states that it doesn't need an external resistor. I suspect the condenser - does anyone know if they can be found locally?

11-25-2023, 08:29 PM	#4
FortyNiner Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: u-rah-rah-Wisconsin Posts: 1,137	Re: Trying to start a '47 Give Napa a call - they may have them in stock or readily available. Sorry for your loss. __________________ 19 and 49 F1 - jes' like Henry II built 1946 Deluxe - as Henry built it

11-25-2023, 08:52 PM	#5
1942deluxe Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Albion, PA Posts: 715	Re: Trying to start a '47 The NAPA number I think is FA 54. Another number that Charlie NY recommended when he did my distributor was IH 200. Also NAPA.

11-25-2023, 10:53 PM	#6
JayChicago Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Chicago Posts: 732	Re: Trying to start a '47 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I am on the northwest side of Chicago, and I have the day free tomorrow, Sunday. I am no expert, and it sounds like you know what you are doing, so I probably won't be able to offer much. But sometimes another set of eyes... I have two new condensers I can bring. If you want, call me at: (deleted; don't need a computer bot to find it, add to robocall lists) Last edited by JayChicago; 11-26-2023 at 12:15 PM. Reason: deleted phone number

11-26-2023, 08:16 AM	#7
marko39 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: harpursville ny Posts: 1,040	Re: Trying to start a '47 do a compression test to see if you have any stuck valves.

11-26-2023, 09:20 AM	#8
nellis003 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chicago Posts: 153	Re: Trying to start a '47 Many thanks to everyone who pitched in with suggestions, and especially Jay who offered to come out and help. It’s snowing by me right now, and tomorrow it’s going to be pretty cold, so I’ve decided it’s best to postpone getting the car on the road until the Spring. This is one of the reasons I love this community. Thanks for the help. I’ll keep you all posted on how things go with the car. It’s been in the family for over 25 years, and I intend to keep it in the family for a lot longer, so hopefully I’ll have some stories around having it running in the Spring for ice cream runs with my nieces and nephews. Thanks again, Nick Last edited by nellis003; 11-26-2023 at 09:20 AM. Reason: Spelling

11-27-2023, 11:09 AM	#9
Als48 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Paducah Ky Posts: 279	Re: Trying to start a '47 Nellis, I would take a quick look at the points, as well, as they often corrode when stored for a longer period. A quick cleanup with a point file or emery cloth might do the trick. Al Hook

11-27-2023, 11:22 AM	#10
sugarmaker Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Albion PA Posts: 1,677	Re: Trying to start a '47 Nick, Our condolences to you and your family. Your Dad and you worked on these cars a lot. They have a way of sending us messages. Lots of folks will be here to help you when you have time to get back to his Ford. Regards, Chris and Cheryl __________________ 1932 AAB Truck 1953 Ford Jubilee 2015 Ford F250 SuperCrew Lots of Allis tractors Some Cub Cadets

11-28-2023, 07:45 AM	#11
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,062	Re: Trying to start a '47 If you have a coil with an internal resistor. Make sure the original resistor is removed. I dont remember wehere it is located on a 47