Won't start electrical

Johns599 · Sep 8, 2016

Appreciate the wisdom in this forum. I Have a 48 8n converted to 12 v, side distributor. Bought a tuneup kit, because wasn't getting spark from the coil. My question is how to wire the coil. New one has Pos and neg posts. Which one gets the lead from the harness? Also, I couldn't get the new condenser installed due to the clamp not lining up to accept the screw. Any one have suggestion on how to mount?

Bfish21 · Sep 8, 2016

If you have a Positive ground, + from coil goes to distributor
Negative ground, negative goes to dist.

old · Sep 8, 2016

Well I'll start by questioning you sort of .

1948 8N would be a front mount distributor.
1948 to early 1950 where front mount distributor.
In early 1950 May or April ford went to the side mount 5 nipple distributor system.

On a 12 volt system you most likely have a - ground alternator so the ignition side of the coil with be on the + post of the coil and the distributor side will be -

As for the condenser I would just leave the old one in place. Now days it is super common to get a condenser that is bad from the get go and it you got your tune up kit at say a TSC good chance whole kit is China JUNK

Most time if your not getting spark it is caused by bad or corroded point. I clean points all the time and I keep a points file in my tool box for just your type of problem

Johns599 · Sep 9, 2016

(quoted from post at 19:05:35 09/08/16) Appreciate the wisdom in this forum. I Have a 48 8n converted to 12 v, side distributor. Bought a tuneup kit, because wasn't getting spark from the coil. My question is how to wire the coil. New one has Pos and neg posts. Which one gets the lead from the harness? Also, I couldn't get the new condenser installed due to the clamp not lining up to accept the screw. Any one have suggestion on how to mount?

Well, the plot thickens.
I thought I had a 12 v system, because I was getting 12.6 v between battery electrodes. But... With the battery on the ground, I'm getting 6.4v and Batteries plus said the cold cranking is fine. I will hook it up to charger overnight. Bought a spark tester and even though I have voltage coming from the coil to the distributor, there is no spark from the top with my handy dandy tester.
Maybe I fried my new coil with the leads hooked up backward?
Is there a better way of testing the coil?

Steve@Advance · Sep 9, 2016

"Maybe I fried my new coil with the leads hooked up backward?"

No, connecting a coil reversed will not hurt it. In fact, it makes minimal difference.

For positive ground, the + terminal connects to the distributor.

For negative ground, the - terminal connects to the distributor.

old · Sep 9, 2016

Not sure what battery you have 6 volt has 3 cap or hole for water/acid. 12 volts has 6 holes. One need to know what they have so they can ask the right question to get the right answers. Only way to burn out a coil would be to hook it up in such a way that the point did nothing or in other word hard wire it right to a battery and then if left that way good chance it would blow up. Ask me how I know that

Johns599 · Sep 17, 2016

So, I now have the new 6v coil. Primary lead to positive, neg to distributor. I get 6.4 volts from the neg lead to ground. But... No spark from the secondary. My battery tested ok on cold cranking amps at Batt +. but I'm still wondering if there is adequate current to the primary. Is there any troubleshooting I should do? I did run a new lead from the terminal to the primary.

old · Sep 17, 2016

First of 6 or 12 volts seems your not sure and if 12 volts and 6.4 volts your battery is dead.
So count to caps on the battery or if it has the 3 or so inch double cap pull them and if you have 6 water holes it is 12 volts and dead. If it has 3 then it is 6 volts and your good to go.

Check and make sure your points are gaped at 0.025. Next with the ignition on open the points with a stick or some such thing and watch for a spark. No spark then the points need to be cleaned or replaced.

Johns599 · Sep 17, 2016

Hallellujah, it runs. Now for some fluid Change love.

old · Sep 17, 2016

So what did you find that caused the problem

Johns599 · Sep 17, 2016

Well....., changed out the plugs, wires, points and coil.
My guess is it was the coil, but don't really know.
Just glad that it is running. My wife had located a tractor repair facility that she suggested I bring it to. After 46 years, she forgot how stubborn I can get.
As long as it was running, I gave it some tractor love and changed oil, filter, and transmission fluids.
Got a cocoa colored fluid from the tranny, but the reservoir to the aft of that had more normal colored fluid. Wonder if moisture can seep in through the fill cap?
Anyway, alls well that ends well. Thanks for advice and support! :lol: 8)

Won't start electrical

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