[AT] no spark on 601

[Chris Britton]

>From: "Jeff Green" <jd_green at swbell.net>
>Subject: [AT] No spark
>I'm having a fit solving a real basic problem on my Ford 601.  Can't get a 
>spark.  Not at the plugs or the points.  I know I'm >getting power to the 
>distributor, from getting zapped when I stuck a screwdriver in the points. 
>I've replaced the coil & >condensor.  It's a 12 volt system.
>Any ideas on where to look next?

A ford sidemount ignition circuit is just about as simple as they come for 
troubleshooting.

You have power from the key switch to the primary of the coil, then a wire 
from the coil (other side of primary ) that goes to the points, and thus 
ground.  You have a high tension wire from the coil secondary to the 
distribuitor cap.

Best thing to do is follow the volts.. ensure that you have power at the 
switch to primary connection.  A test lamp or vom is usefull.  Now.. ensure 
that the primary is not open.. an ohm meter is usefull for this as well.. 
however a test lamp will also work.

Now, check to see that the points actuall open and close.. both physicall, 
and electrically.

Easy way to do this is to disconnect the wire to the coil hook it to your 
test lamp clip, then touch probe to the low tension wire from the coil to 
the distrib.  Spin engine over... lamp should flash off and on if poit s are 
openiong and closing.  Alternately an ohm meter could be used to test the 
circuit.

If lamp stays on.. points aren't closing.. if lamp stays off.. points are 
shorted.. though capacitor could also be shorted.

Gap points at .025.  Pay attention to the insulating bushing and feed thru 
wire that passes thru the distribuitor body to the points.  this insulator 
is notorious for cracking, as well as the copper xfer strip.

A good test is to jumper power right from battery to the coil primary.. then 
use a jumper wire fromthe other side of the primary thru the hole in the 
distrib from the (removed) feed-thru insulator, to the points.

That should at least provide spark to the secondary of the coil IF points 
are opening and closing... Remember.. points closed and the coil is 
saturating it's mag field... field colapses and induces a voltage on the 
secondary when the points open..

If you have spark at the  secondary but not the plugs.. look at the distrib 
cap, and rotor.. ensure a good fit and no cracks ont he rotor and distrib 
cap.. no contacts that have been hitting each other from worn distrb 
bushings.. and no carbon tracks or cracks int he cap... next thing would be 
to check timing if you have spark at the secondary.. but not at the plugs.. 
( i.e.  it is fireing.. but not when the rotor is lined up with the distrib 
cap contacts.. )

Soundguy