Problem trying to start flathead after years of sitting...

[Guest logicwireless]

Were in the process of trying to startup the original flathead engine after years of sitting....we've already soaked the cylinders with marvel mystery oil, turned it over with plugs removed...everything turns over smoothly. New wires, plugs, coil, dist cap, rotor, condenser, points, etc...

- We get a spark when we open the points, but no fire at the plugs (plug wires).

Could there be a problem with rotor & cap ?

Any other suggestions ?

Thanks

Mike

[bach4660]

check for ground on the distributor, there is a bakelite insulator on the gnd that breaks down with time, causing the spark to ground out before the plugs.

[grey beard]

I have successfully started four old Dodge trucks in the past year. All of them have been sitting for years. On two of these we had to rig up temporary fuel supplies. Both later needed the fuel tanks removed nd the outlet line unplugged from the gum and varnish buildup. These tanks have an "S" turn inside the outlet and about 16 inches of tubing inside the tank to get the the pickup point in he center,

Otherwise if you have nice blue spark and fuel in the bowl, you should experience joy pretty soon. LOL:)

[greg g]

Couple items to check. Make sure the wires are properly seated into the cap.

Also check the wire from the lug for the coil wire to the points. this can become frayed and ground out as the advance plate moves.

As stated before there are a couple different distributers and caps. and they need to match along with the rotor or the rotor won't align with the lugs in the cap. Simply there are early short bodied distributor with a tall cap and a tall bodied dist with a short cap, So if looking across the bosy of the dist you can see the points, it should have a tall cap. and visa versa if you can not see the points over the body. As you can see in the pic the rotors are at the same level, but the caps need to match the dist for the rotor to align.

[Guest logicwireless]

Thanks for the advice on pushing the plug wires all the way in; although they seated firm....when pressed hard, they went in another 1/4 inch.

Well I now have a "small" blue spark...not as bright as I would think it should be, and it doesn't fire off when gas is poured into the carb....but I'll check the timing and get back to it in the morning.

THanks Again