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Stan 08-26-2004 18:08:47 12.75.26.86 11041 Report to Moderator	51 Dodge B3B No spark when I turn her over. I took the battery out for a few months while I did some body work. Now I would like to start her just because it's been a while and nothing. I first thought mabey it wasn't drawing gas, (that may also be a problem). I took out a plug and it was dry after cranking and while out I cranked her and I don't see any spark on the plug. Any thoughts. Thanks in advance for any help Stan [Reply]  [No Email]
db 08-27-2004 17:46:58 152.163.253.33 11061 Report to Moderator	Re: No Spark in reply to Stan, 08-26-2004 18:08:47   Did you maybe loose a ground strap between the engine and frame while doing the body work? Try a wire from the engine to the negative battery post to see.   [Reply]  [No Email]
John McPherson 08-27-2004 06:30:09 216.251.170.20 11051 Report to Moderator	Re: No Spark in reply to Stan, 08-26-2004 18:08:47   First, see if voltage is available at primary side of coil. If there is, dress the points- even points on a vehicle stored for a few months can develop an insulating layer of oxide on the contact pads. If that does not correct it, replace/check condensor, and then coil in that order.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stan 08-27-2004 22:11:37 12.75.27.69 11066 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: No Spark in reply to John McPherson, 08-27-2004 06:30:09   Thanks for the responses. It has been a while since I have posted here and I see the hide feature is new, I think. I have been checking E-Mail for a response to my question with no luck. As to a grounding strap. I beliveI have a good ground from the battery to the Block but may not have a good ground from the block to the frame. I'll check in the morning. As to dressing the points. I am not familiar with this. Can you explain. Thanks again Stan   [Reply]  [Send Email]
John McPherson 08-28-2004 13:22:28 216.251.170.7 11070 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: No Spark in reply to Stan, 08-27-2004 22:11:37   The points can be dressed with a small file (painfully slow and potentially painful), while still mounted in the distributor, but this removes enough material that the gap should be checked anyway when done. However the easier method is to remove the points and dress them with a file, or if you have the type that can come apart, using a small fine stone like an oil stone- without the oil. If you are really good, you can restore a clean crown to the solid pad just like it had from the factory. 400 grit finishing paper or finer also works well, and sometimes is adequate for removing the oxide layer on the pads. The drawback is if you do this with the points still on the distributor, you run the risk of knocking abrasive material into the distributor where it might possibly cause some trouble later. Which ever method you choose, when putting the points back in, run some clean coarse paper like a small piece of shopping bag between the pads to remove any oil residue that may have accumulated.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Stan 08-29-2004 16:50:02 12.75.26.152 11078 Report to Moderator	Re: Re: Re: Re: No Spark in reply to John McPherson, 08-28-2004 13:22:28   John and db Thanks for the help. I cleaned the points with a file (while installed), and cleaned the connection between the battery and the postivve battery cable. It started so fast it didn't seem natural. Ran her for about 15 minutes just to bring everything up to temperature, shut it down and she started just like it came off the show room floor. I won't wait so long the next time, but I have a least a Winters worth of work to make her road worthy. Thanks again for the help Stan   [Reply]  [No Email]