spark tester for model A

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by George Miller

that is it. It was a 2 cycle I think. But that was a long time ago.

Maytag

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showpo...4&postcount=21

That is a great check list! Thanks.
My repro ford battery is low " won;t fully charge: powered. I will try it with an Optima battery.
What percentage of the cranking power of a battery goes to power the spark plugs rather than just turn the starter?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

That is a great check list! Thanks.
My repro ford battery is low " won;t fully charge: powered. I will try it with an Optima battery.
What percentage of the cranking power of a battery goes to power the spark plugs rather than just turn the starter?

The starter takes over 100 amps and the coil takes about 2 amps while cranking and even less while running. So, while cranking the battery voltage will drop depending on how many square inches of lead plates you have and the condition of them. Temperature also has an effect on battery power. The stater and coil will see the same voltage while cranking, which is usually about 5 volts with a good battery.

If you hand crank the engine you will have the full 6.3 volts to the coil.

[Fullraceflathead]

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

I am not sure what you had in mind, but if you want to build a bench tester that will test your distributor, coil, and points cam, this might give you some ideals.
Use the hand crank for slow speed testing and the drill for high speed testing. You can heat the coil with a hair dryer for a hot test.
You can check the points cam to see if all four lobs are firing at the proper time with the degree wheel and the red led that goes on and off when the points open and close.
If you only have one distributor this will be a little overkill, but if you have 40 or 50 that you have drug in from swap meets that you want to rebuild, then a bench tester is very nice.

That's real Nice!
I have an Older Sun Ignition Simulator that goes on the Sun Distributor Testers.
Yours is much more compact and just as good.
I think I'll make one like yours also.

[gridleak]

Try this device

[FrankWest]

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Originally Posted by gridleak

Try this device

Scary

The Les Andrews Troubling shooting for model A talks about a Spark plug tester bulb... It looks like a regular light bulb and you hold it to the distributer contacts.....I guess it is a bulb that works with 6 volts.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Scary

The Les Andrews Troubling shooting for model A talks about a Spark plug tester bulb... It looks like a regular light bulb and you hold it to the distributer contacts.....I guess it is a bulb that works with 6 volts.

I haven't seen that, but the ignition secondary is very low amperage and high voltage, but won't light up a 6 volt bulb. It will light a neon bulb however, and I'd guess if you hold one lead of the neon bulb it will light by holding near the plug wires.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

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.

Thanks...Your plan worjed perfectly!
I Have Sparks!!!! Happy days are here again!

I guess I now have to verify i am getting gas?
I have a model B engine and gas pump.

[FrankWest]

I got then engine running!
Sounds nice and smooth too!
Thanks for all your help guys.
I could not have done it without your help!

[Mitch//pa]

That's great to hear

[1931 flamingo]

Wow Frank, great news, I've been following your "adventure" here and on the EV8 forum.
Paul