Ford 2N Rebuild: Does not start

breese

Member
An update to an earlier post...

After verifying compression and leak-down testing for a "cold" engine, I validated timing. That looks OK to me.

However, I noticed it does not fire each and every time. I'll look into why that is next starting with distributor and connections.

For now, here is a brief video of my 1945 2N timing test: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJ4Vo4YYBak
Ford 2N Timing
 
Yes. New pistons have a slight dome compared to the originals. New sleeves and rings were installed.
The carburetor was rebuilt and started my other 2N just fine. This is why I'm suspecting a weak/intermittent spark.
Even with starter fluid sprayed into the choke opening, the engine does not fire.
 
The beer cans help show all pistons in the mid-range travel position with cam/drive gear marks aligned. Is this correct? It must be since the video shows spark for all 4 cylinders at TDC.

Most other engines I've worked on have piston #1 at TDC when timing marks are aligned. This just seemed odd to me, but again, this appears correct.

And it was fun emptying the cans after verifying timing :)
 
"The beer cans help show all pistons in the mid-range travel position with cam/drive gear marks aligned. Is this correct?"

Yes
 
(quoted from post at 20:17:14 02/13/14) Not sure the reason for the u-tube video. Guess it saying when you have 4 beers setting on top of your engine it's time for a break. But it led me to this Great 8N advertisement. This is a must see.
Ford Tractor Advertisement



yea, that was great, i'll have to watch it again some time.
 
My spark checker is not very sophisticated: it's what you see in the video. Simple gap-adjustment/screw type. The spark only jumps about 1/4" in the gap: that seems pretty wimpy to me.

If you can recommend a more sophisticated spark tester, that would be great. Otherwise, I'll go to O'Rielys Auto Parts and see what they have to help me more accurately quantify my spark's high-voltage.
 
(quoted from post at 20:55:16 02/14/14) My spark checker is not very sophisticated: it's what you see in the video. Simple gap-adjustment/screw type. The spark only jumps about 1/4" in the gap: that seems pretty wimpy to me.

If you can recommend a more sophisticated spark tester, that would be great. Otherwise, I'll go to O'Rielys Auto Parts and see what they have to help me more accurately quantify my spark's high-voltage.

1/4" is about 20KV and were you should be... Does you spark checker have a scale on it like
SE (small engine)
20 (20KV)
30 (30KV) conventional electronic ignition
40 (KV) HEI high energy ignition

If you dial it in closer and it fires it every time I would suspect a weak coil...
 

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