VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Distributor Problem

I tried to search for prior discussions on this but gave up without any success. A couple of weeks ago, I was going through a routine tune-up for my 37 MD, when it came to setting the timing, I was doing the usual manual turning of the distributor but it never got to the point where it sounded just right. Something interrupted me, when I got back to it a few days later it simply would not start. I pulled the number 1 wire to check for a spark, nothing. I tested the coil, works fine, so I tried another wire just to be sure, no spark on any of them. Decided the time might be right for a new cap anyway, replaced everything inside, still no spark on any wire. There just aren't that many things that can go wrong in between the coil and the plugs, I cannot think of anything else to do. I hope someone has some ideas, I am garage-bound and not too happy right now. Thanks in advance for for any ideas or suggestions.

When you "replaced everything inside" did that include a new condenser? Also, do you have voltage from the ignition switch, through the coil and down to the points in the distributor?

Yes to the condenser. By closing the points, I have voltage in the coil wire, which arcs nicely to a ground. I'll try putting the old condenser back in to see if that makes a difference, I may have gotten a bad one, it never occurred to me. Thanks for the idea, let me see if that does it.

Use a timing light to see if you have any apart in the plug wires.

Turn the distributor whilst the engine is turning over, it may be so far retarded or advanced that it just wont hit.

If all else fails, put a nickel in the slot.

If that doesn't work then tow it to the wrecking yard. After all, it's only a 37!

Get a 41. They have no such mysterious problems.

Best,

Charlie

Also check for brain farts.

Had a hell of a time getting my '41 to run correctly once. Car would sometimes start but, when it did, would run very poorly and then die. Checked and re-checked everything over two days, EXCEPT to make sure my plug wires were in the correct order. Turned out I had the #4 and #6 wires switched. Could have smacked myself. Reinstalled the wires correctly and she fired right up and idled with no problem.

BJ,

Thanks for the admission of brain freeze. Whatever.

Note that none of the rest of us here on chatter have ever done that, i.e. either had the problem or admitted it.

You're something else, you know that? Don't worry about it. Not many admit their mistakes.

Best,

Charlie

BTW: Having a smart, decreeing brain is what makes us 41 owners stand out. Therefore, we should not admit our occasional mistakes. We should always give the impression that we know what we are doing at all times and in any conditions. Admittance to making simple mistakes only encourages our lessers in thinking they are as smart as us. Not so. The 1941 speaks for itself,