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Old 09-29-2020, 01:12 PM   #1
James G.
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Default low & no spark on #3 cyl

Engine runs rough. While at fast idle I ground tested each cyl and #3 spark was intermittent/absent. All others had stead/regular spark to ground .I replaced the spark plugs with new W16, then the re-timed the engine with test lamp, then replaced the coil, still no improvement. I've ordered new upper dist body and rotor. Hopefully this will be the fix.
Any suggestions on what I'm missing?
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Old 09-29-2020, 01:25 PM   #2
Patrick L.
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

Sounds like it could be a carbon tracked cap/housing. Take a good look at it and sometimes the tracking can be erased.

Also it could be cracked.
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Old 09-29-2020, 01:29 PM   #3
James G.
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl - update!

New upper dist body and rotor. Not idles really good now but hesitates to take throttle, running kinda rough coming up in RPM to fast idle +. Hummm, is it time to address fuel demand problem?
All inputs surely welcomed.
Jim G.
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Old 09-29-2020, 01:42 PM   #4
wmws
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

Try fattening up the idle mixture a bit. If that doesn't help clean all passages in the carb.
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Old 09-29-2020, 01:51 PM   #5
Jacksonlll
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

Check your compression to rule that out.
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Old 09-29-2020, 06:18 PM   #6
James G.
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

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Idle mix and compression, good ideas. Two I'd not thought of. Was focused on electrical.
Many thanks.
All other inputs sure welcomed.
Jim G.
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Old 09-29-2020, 09:20 PM   #7
alexiskai
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

If a short occurs within the distributor body, it often affects cylinder 3. You'll find out when the new one arrives. If that doesn't help, here's a thread from '17 describing something similar with the #1 cylinder. The OP never circled back to report the fix, though.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216127
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Old 09-29-2020, 10:56 PM   #8
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

Are you saying you checked the actual spark from the spark plug to ground, or are you saying you just shorted it out and it made no difference on number three. If it’s the latter, then it could be a vacuum leak on the intake.
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Old 09-30-2020, 09:39 AM   #9
ryanheacox
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

Quote:
Originally Posted by alexiskai View Post
If a short occurs within the distributor body, it often affects cylinder 3. You'll find out when the new one arrives. If that doesn't help, here's a thread from '17 describing something similar with the #1 cylinder. The OP never circled back to report the fix, though.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216127

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure my original distributor body started arcing from the #3 contact. Interesting observation.
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Old 09-30-2020, 11:11 AM   #10
alexiskai
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Default Re: low & no spark on #3 cyl

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Originally Posted by ryanheacox View Post
Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure my original distributor body started arcing from the #3 contact. Interesting observation.
I don't have personal experience with this behavior but that's what I've heard. I'm not sure why it is. I couldn't find any images of a cutaway body to show how the wiring is run, but I found the diagram attached below from a MAFCA seminar. If the diagram is accurate, the body is axially symmetric – so there's no reason wire 3 should fail more than wire 2.

If replacing the distributor body solves the problem, I hope the OP will run some tests with a multimeter across the contacts on the bad distributor body to see whether the #3 wire has any measurable anomalies.
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File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2020-09-30 at 12.07.14 PM.jpg (15.6 KB, 22 views)
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