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Classic/Antique Car Repair/no spark 34 ford flathead v-8

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Expert: - 8/20/2010


Question
I am doing repair work on 1934 ford car with a flathead V-8. Owner has been having trouble starting car. Found no spark to plugs. I have been wrenching for 36 years first time something this old. Has dist. or mag on front of engine. Where do I start? I have not checked for power to "unit". Car is not at my shop. Didn't know if simple repair or not. Any help or info would be appreciated. Any diagrams available on line? Thank You Very Much

Answer
That gadget on the front of the engine is the distributor. The coil is bolted to the top as is the condenser. There are two sets of points in the distributor. There is only one external wire to the distributor to the coil from the ignition switch. On some Fords there is a wire  resistor under the dash or perhaps attached to the coil itself that reduces the running voltage from 6 to near 4 volts. This is between the ignition switch and the coil in the electrical circuit. Diagnosis is the same as in any point ignition system.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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