flattiefreak Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 my 58 plyouth with 230 flathead has been running really good lately.. well the other day she isnt getting spark at the coil, so i replace it and check the points.. she starts right up.. next day she isnt getting spark so i make sure all the connectors are good and tight on the wires.. she starts right up.. well today she same thing happened.. she isnt getting spark at the coil .. i checked all the connections and nothing is helpiong this time.. i have replaced connectors, coil, condensor, rotor button, dist cap, plug wires, points wire and resistor.. i have the 12 volt system.. what could be causing this?? Quote
martybose Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 The classic problem is the short wire to the points inside the distributor finally wearing through the insulation and grounding to the housing; did you check it? Marty Quote
flattiefreak Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Posted July 21, 2009 yes i did. i replaced it about 3 months ago.. i inspected it today as well... i hooked up a homemade test light to the positive side of the coil (12 volt system) and a ground. when key is in on position the light is on... i put light on pos and neg terminals on coil and it doesnt light.. i put light on neg side of coil and neg post on battery and it lights.. i am not good with electrical stuff. Quote
flattiefreak Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Posted July 21, 2009 i got her running again.. this time she sounds even better than before.. the points needed adjusting.. it has done this to me three days in a row.. what could be causing the points to do this?? they are tightened down good.. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 are you dropping the 12 volts across a resistor when in the run mode? Quote
flattiefreak Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Posted July 21, 2009 yes i have a ballast resistor to drop the voltage. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 Don't forget to lube the rubbing block on the points. Quote
flattiefreak Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Posted July 21, 2009 thats one thing i did not do.. i didnt lube the rubbing block.. should i use WD40? also, should i get a new set of points?? Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 used to be that points came with a small capsule of lube for the rubbing block..small amount of grease is needed here..new points may not be required if the rubbing block is still enough to open and close the correct points gap and the points contact surface is in servicable limits/condition Quote
Niel Hoback Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 Hi-temp grease, just about as big as a drop of water or less. It will keep the gap from changing. Quote
flattiefreak Posted July 21, 2009 Author Report Posted July 21, 2009 okay, i will pick up some hi temp grease today.. thank you so much for this information.. i had never heard of using grease with points.. Quote
desoto1939 Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 If you are using the orginal breaker plate assembly there might be some wear inthe unit since it is 50+ years old aand when you shut of the engine it could be at a point wear there might be some wear and you have a bigger gap. I would also replace with a NOS breaker plate to insure you have good settings. When i do a tune up I always start with a fresh BP and then rebuild the old one and insert as an entire unit. Rich Hartung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote
TodFitch Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 okay, i will pick up some hi temp grease today.. thank you so much for this information.. i had never heard of using grease with points.. Just to be clear, the grease goes on the cam. You don't want grease or oil on the points themselves. Quote
Phil Martin Posted July 21, 2009 Report Posted July 21, 2009 When I got my dodge someone had lost hold down screw for points. They put in a screw a little longer. Set points and tighten screw would raise the plate and close the oints. Cant believe it ran they were so close. Quote
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