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MMjohn 03-15-2006 13:56:47 68.17.123.38 18991 Report to Moderator	We have a 1938 ford flat head V8 that we are having trouble with the iginition. It will fire and then stop you can take it off mess with it then put it back in and the same thing. Any advice? Can you get a electronic Iginition (6volt)? thanks John [Reply]  [Send Email]
Rustyj14 03-31-2006 18:26:09 71.245.188.46 19238 Report to Moderator	Re: 1938 ford iginition troubles in reply to MMjohn, 03-15-2006 13:56:47   Check the back of the distributor, in the center of the side that contacts the engine clock! See that little raised strip on the part that revolves? see how it is off-set? HMMM?? The off set matches a similar off-set in the end of the cam, where the dist. bolts on! now, if you try to put it on wrong, it probably won't fire correctly. Also, have it rebuilt with new rotor and points and condenser! HTH Electronic ignition would be a waste of money! you are only going to get so much power out of that engine!   [Reply]  [No Email]
bobtownsend 03-18-2006 06:04:58 216.139.225.118 19035 Report to Moderator	Re: 1938 ford iginition troubles in reply to MMjohn, 03-15-2006 13:56:47   I ran into a similar problem back in my high school days during the early 60s. A friend bought an ford flathead V-8 it needed a few parts to get it running. My friend aquired a distributor from a mercury flathead. Now this engine would fire up, run a couple of RPMs then quit. Finally with the help of the school shop instructor and the whole class the problem was solved. It was the Merc distributor, with the wrong number of teeth, it would bolt in, seemed to fit, but after a few revolutions it was out of time. I'm sure your problem is something more simple,but this ia an expample of what can happen.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob 03-15-2006 14:13:09 64.21.249.40 18992 Report to Moderator	Re: 1938 ford iginition troubles in reply to MMjohn, 03-15-2006 13:56:47   It's kinda tough to troubleshoot that Dorf electrical nighmare over the 'net. One set of points, or two? It sure sounds like bad points. However, there's a lot of stuff there to either be intermittant "open" or "shorted". If you want to check out what electronic conversions are available, take a look at the on-line catalog at pertronix.com. There is also contact information there to call them. Generally, pretty helpfull folks   [Reply]  [No Email]