Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-03-2014, 12:55 PM   #1
FrankWest
Senior Member
 
FrankWest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,002
Default spark tester for model A

What is a reccommended spark tester for a model A engine.
FrankWest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 12:58 PM   #2
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: spark tester for model A

I sure could say something now, but, I won't. [ smiley face]
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 11-03-2014, 01:04 PM   #3
H. L. Chauvin
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 4,179
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Hi frank,

Vintage simple & proven method:

1. Lay plugs on their sides for a ground; &,

2. Connect tops of plugs to distributor: &

3. Crank engine by hand or with starter; &

4. If no spark at ends of plugs, no spark where it really "counts"; i.e., in the combustion chamber.

5. With no spark in combustion chamber, it will "never" start.
H. L. Chauvin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 02:06 PM   #4
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

for an inline i use this style for all cars, they can be driven with it on
if you lay the plugs on the motor make sure you have a good ground preferably a jumper wire from the plug base to a head nut.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg image.jpg (62.4 KB, 105 views)

Last edited by Mitch//pa; 11-03-2014 at 02:13 PM.
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 02:39 PM   #5
johnbuckley
Senior Member
 
johnbuckley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 1,439
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch//pa View Post
for an inline i use this style for all cars, they can be driven with it on .....
Correct me if I'm wrong ( I often am) but won't this gizmo give a positive result even if the plug is shorted at the electrode I thought it just tested that there is HT voltage going to the plug, not that the plug is actually functional.
johnbuckley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 02:45 PM   #6
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnbuckley View Post
Correct me if I'm wrong ( I often am) but won't this gizmo give a positive result even if the plug is shorted at the electrode I thought it just tested that there is HT voltage going to the plug, not that the plug is actually functional.
if you have a short to ground in the spark plug it will still light.. an open at the plug it will not...i use it for spark intensity, and pattern to diagnose int spark problems. if one feels they have a bad plug switch it with another cylinder to see if the miss follows.
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 02:57 PM   #7
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Harbor Freight... Spark Tester
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 02:59 PM   #8
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
Harbor Freight... Spark Tester
they are junk i have tried them..
its much harder to see the neon light and use it for diagnostics but it is better than nothing
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 03:21 PM   #9
Y-Blockhead
Senior Member
 
Y-Blockhead's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Redondo Beach, CA
Posts: 5,817
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch//pa View Post
they are junk i have tried them..
its much harder to see the neon light and use it for diagnostics but it is better than nothing
Mitch, Works OK in the dark. I had to throw it out there with the big HF thread continuing to go on...
Y-Blockhead is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 03:26 PM   #10
Kurt in NJ
Senior Member
 
Kurt in NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: on the Littlefield
Posts: 6,140
Default Re: spark tester for model A

I just take the round top cap off and either use the edge for a handle or perch it at a angle near a head nut and crank engine, if I want to see spark going to the plugs I move the "wires" a little away from the pins on the cap-- no special tools needed
Kurt in NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-03-2014, 03:28 PM   #11
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ View Post
I just take the round top cap off and either use the edge for a handle or perch it at a angle near a head nut and crank engine, if I want to see spark going to the plugs I move the "wires" a little away from the pins on the cap-- no special tools needed
what do you use for intermittent conditions that sometimes show up under load
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:24 PM   #12
FrankWest
Senior Member
 
FrankWest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,002
Default Re: spark tester for model A

if there is no spark then what is the next step?
Is there a capacitor the allows the charge to build and then the charge is sent to the distributor?
FrankWest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:30 PM   #13
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankWest View Post
if there is no spark then what is the next step?
Is there a capacitor the allows the charge to build and then the charge is sent to the distributor?
ck for power at the points with the key on and contacts open
file and adjust the points
work the points open and closed with the key on they should spark and throw a jolt out the coil wire to a head nut with a 1/4 gap
there is a condenser in the distributor assy
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:33 PM   #14
George Miller
Senior Member
 
George Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2,975
Default Re: spark tester for model A

When I was about 13 years old. I had a old wash machine engine I was trying to get running. One of my friends was there watching. I had him grab the spark plug. It seemed to have plenty of spark. My friend was not to happy, but he got over it. But I think you would be better off finding a better way.

Last edited by George Miller; 11-04-2014 at 04:39 PM.
George Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:36 PM   #15
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by George Miller View Post
When I was about 13 years old. I had a old wash machine engine I was trying to get running. One of friends was there watching. I had him grab the spark plug. Ir seemed to have plenty of spark. My friend was not to happy, but he got over it. But I think you would be better off finding a better way.
thats how we break in newbys here at the shop.. have them wet their finger then hold the vacuum in on a coil wire end real tight.
on HEI or like
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:43 PM   #16
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch//pa View Post
what do you use for intermittent conditions that sometimes show up under load
Clear cover or the one with cutouts should work.
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:44 PM   #17
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by FrankWest View Post
if there is no spark then what is the next step?
Is there a capacitor the allows the charge to build and then the charge is sent to the distributor?
http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...4&postcount=21
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 04:47 PM   #18
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida View Post
Clear cover or the one with cutouts should work.
little hard to see inside the dist body while your driving under load
plus you wont be able to detect pulse differences... you need to work with one to understand
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 05:14 PM   #19
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by George Miller View Post
When I was about 13 years old. I had a old wash machine engine I was trying to get running. One of my friends was there watching. I had him grab the spark plug. It seemed to have plenty of spark. My friend was not to happy, but he got over it. But I think you would be better off finding a better way.





Thats what I didn't say. I thought maybe someone would run right out and grab the coil or plug wire. Might not be a good idea today for someone with a bad heart. Its also what we used to do with new guys in the shop, along with loaded condensers.
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 05:14 PM   #20
George Miller
Senior Member
 
George Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2,975
Default Re: spark tester for model A

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1930 coupe View Post
Like this one?

that is it. It was a 2 cycle I think. But that was a long time ago.
George Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:13 AM.