Engine electrical problems

[Jordan Baker]

Hi everyone.

Im having a bit of trouble with my carrier engine in the way of electrical problems. The engine is a Ford V8, 85 h.p.

We are getting power to the coil but there is very little comming out of the coil and nothing is comming out at the spark plug wire end.

We are going to try replacing the coil as it is probably part of the problem. However we also noticed that the "High Tension Brush" inside the distributor is missing what looks like a little carbon rod at the end of the spring.

Does anyone know what this could be and where I would be able to get another one. If I can't get just that part, is it possible to get a complete new distributor.

Any help is much appreciated.

Sincerely
Jordan Baker

[jeff davis]

Try looking under the flat head ford guys web site ,on our side of the country there are several sources, The old car centre in Langley B.C or try Collectors auto supply on the net ,You should be able to find the parts back there as your Province is Big.
regards Jeff

[Tony Smith]

There a couple of Ford V8 "hot rod" suppliers in the US that have something you might like to use instead. A conversion plate is available which mounts instead of the coil and allows you to use an ordinary auto coil in your choice of 6v or 12v.
Try Patricks (520) 836 1117 or Hot Rod and Custom Supply (239)574 7744. I've no doubt that there will be other outlets where these are available from, too.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Jordan Baker
We are getting power to the coil but there is very little comming out of the coil and nothing is comming out at the spark plug wire end.

Jordan, read Rhett Fisher's message in the thread Ford Electrical Query, he explains perfectly how Ford's electrical system works.

Good luck,
Hanno

[jeff davis]

If your not getting any power to the plugs its has to be your caps
making contact with the rotor get some new parts it will go

[Jordan Baker]

Hi Guys

Thanks for the info and help with the parts.

I think i will get one of those coi adapter plates. The one that I have right now is a poor home made job with the cable just epoxied in. I also need a new coil so hopefully that should help it. I will also take a further look into the distributer to see if anything else is out of place.

Thanks again

Sincerely
Jordan Baker

[chris vickery]

Jordan, welcome to the world of the infamous flathead dist. They are, in my opinion, one of the biggest pain in the *** that Ford ever produced. Having rebuilt and tinkered with quite a few, even an experienced person can get to the end of the rope and be pulling their hair out.
By design, all components must be working in close to perfect unison to operate properly.
If you are interested I could perhaps come down to help you out.
I'm in Rockwood, ON, only about 40mins N of Hamilton.