I am finally getting serious about getting my new acquisition started. Probably not started in 10 or more years. My issue is no spark to plugs. I have spark at coil, power to points, etc. but can't get plugs to fire. Any tricks to the cap/disc assembly I should know about? I read about the 1923 conversion previously, but didn't see the final fix. My cap looks fairly new as far as wear, but am uncertain if contact is being made through disc. I am assuming since there were two spare/extra/broken distributor assemblies that were with the car this was a previous issue. Is Pertronix the best answer? What was the reference to the VW?
The spring seems free, so should reach. But, since I noticed all of the distributor caps are cracked by being forced down on the housing, maybe I am not seating the cap low enough. My other thought is that maybe the retard/advance is not correct, and the rotor is not aligned with the corresponding contact on the cap. I am going to explore this as soon as weather permits. Anyone have other thoughts?
I am wondering if your roter is pointing between two cylinders on the cap when the points are cracked and spark occures?..Or possiably a bad roter that is arcing through to shaft?
Bill, I think you are right. Per my previous post, I have turned the distributor as far forward as it will go (clockwise) and have managed to get spark on at least two cylinders. The others may just be weak. Actually, the two new spark plugs I bought at NAPA seem to work, they only had two in stock but I couldn't wait to try. I am now cleaning the vacuum tank and lines and will then see if the carb. works! Thanks so far for thoughts and ideas.
It may be helpful to read ignition timing in tune-up and also look at your wiring diaghram for distributor and ign wire locations, both in our tec page....Point gap is also important and can make a big difference in your spark.
Didn't find any tech on wiring, might be useful in future. Got running 10ft. forward, 10 feet back, now need cooling. Radiator has leak, tube to pump is rotted through.
Mike,
The car was in Fremont, CA until 2012, and then went to Janesville, WI. I bought it this January in an estate auction in Indiana. The Janesville individual had some very cool cars--two Playboys, a Moon, an early Chrysler, etc. I don't believe the car has run in some time, but there was a restoration at some point. The seats seem to have been done, paint, at least the yellow, and engine work, since it is now orange. The numbers add up, so am pretty sure original engine to car. Will try to post pictures as I progress. By the way, do you have any idea how to access the members login, as I joined a few months ago.