Contents
A complete check of the ignition system includes the battery and cables, coil, distributor, primary and secondary wiring, and the spark plugs. This section describes the tests for all these units except the battery and the distributor. The battery, because it is part of the electrical supply system, is covered in Part 7 “GENERATING AND STARTING SYSTEMS.” The distributor is covered in Section 3 of this chapter.
Preliminary Checks
Inspect the battery for corrosion due to acid and dirt. If necessary remove the battery and cables and clean them with a baking soda solution. Be sure the cable connectors and the contacting surfaces on the battery, engine, and relay are clean. Tighten the cables securely upon installation. Test the battery (Part 7—”GENERATING AND STARTING SYSTEMS.”)
Inspect all the primary wiring for worn insulation, broken strands, and loose or corroded terminals. Replace any defective wiring. Make sure all connections are tight. Remove the coil to distributor high-tension lead and the spark plug wires one at a time from the distributor cap and from the spark plugs. Inspect the terminals for looseness and corrosion. Inspect the wires for breaks and cracked insulation. Replace all defective wiring.
Clean the inside of the distributor cap, and inspect it for cracks, burned contacts, or permanent carbon tracks. Remove dirt or corrosion from the sockets. Inspect the rotor for cracks or a burned tip. Replace the cap and/or rotor if they are defective.
Primary Circuit Resistance Test
A complete test of the primary circuit consists of checking for excessive voltage drop from the battery to the coil and from the coil to ground.
Excessive voltage drop in the primary circuit will lessen the secondary output of the ignition coil, resulting in hard starting and poor performance.
The following tests are made with the ignition switch on and the distributor points closed.
BATTERY TO COIL TEST
Fig. 02: battery to resistor test
Connect the negative lead of a voltmeter to the battery terminal of the resistor and the positive lead to the positive terminal of the battery (Fig. 2). If the voltage drop is 0.2 volts or less, the primary circuit from the battery to the coil is satisfactory.
Fig. 03: battery to switch test
If the voltage drop exceeds this limit, leave the positive lead of the voltmeter connected to the positive terminal of the battery and touch the voltmeter negative lead to the coil terminal of the ignition switch (Fig. 3). If there is no change in the reading, the circuit is satisfactory. Next, touch the voltmeter negative lead to the battery terminal of the ignition switch (Fig. 3). If the reading drops there is excessive resistance in the switch.
Fig. 04: resistor test
Check the primary resistor by connecting an ohmmeter across its terminals (Fig. 4). Disconnect the battery wire at the resistor to prevent damage to the ohmmeter. The specified resistance is 1.3-1.4 ohms. If the reading is over or under this limit replace the resistor.
Fig. 05: starting ignition circuit test
Check the resistance in the starting ignition circuit by connecting the voltmeter positive lead to the positive terminal of the battery and the negative lead to the battery terminal of the coil (Fig. 5). Disconnect the high-tension lead at the coil and Crank the engine while observing the voltage drop. It should not exceed 0.1 volt. If the voltage drop is excessive, clean and tighten the terminals or replace wiring as necessary.
BATTERY TO GROUND TEST
Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to the distributor terminal of the coil, and the negative lead to ground. The voltage drop should not exceed 0.1 volt. If the voltage drop is excessive, test the voltage drop of each of the following:
- Coil to distributor wire.
- Distributor primary terminal and the movable breaker point.
- The movable breaker point and the breaker plate.
- The breaker plate and the distributor housing.
- The distributor housing and engine ground.
Spark Intensity
Disconnect one spark plug wire at a time and install a terminal adapter in the wire terminal. Hold the adapter approximately %6 inch from the exhaust manifold and crank the engine. The spark should jump the gap regularly.
If the spark intensity of all leads is satisfactory, the coil, condenser, rotor, distributor cap, and the high-tension cables are probably satisfactory.
If the spark is good at only some leads, perform a high resistance test of the faulty leads.
If the spark is equal at all leads, but weak or intermittent, make a high resistance check of the coil, distributor cap, and the coil to distributor high-tension lead. Follow the instructions of the test set manufacturer when making the test.
Coil
Coil tests can be made with the coil installed on the engine or on a test set. The coil tests include coil heat, secondary continuity, and coil capacity.
A coil may break down after it has reached operating temperature; therefore, a coil heat test is made to test the coil at operating temperature. The coil secondary continuity test is performed to test the coil secondary windings for high resistance. The coil capacity test is made to determine the condition of the windings of the coil.
Perform all tests following the instructions of the test set manufacturer.
REMOVAL
Disconnect the high-tension lead and the primary leads from the coil. Remove the coil mounting screws and remove the coil. If necessary, disconnect the resistor wires and remove the resistor.
INSTALLATION
Place the coil and resistor in position and install the mounting screws. Insert the high-tension lead into the coil socket. Push the weather seal tight against the socket. Connect the primary wires to the coil and resistor. Be sure the wires are properly installed.
Resistor
The resistor is checked for excessive resistance as previously explained under “Battery To Coil Test.”
Spark Plugs
Fig. 06: 18mm spark plug
An 18-millimeter spark plug (Fig. 6) is used in all engines. This plug does not require a gasket and is designed to operate efficiently under all conditions.
REMOVAL
Pull the wire off each spark plug, and clean the area around each spark plug with compressed air, then remove the plugs.
CLEANING AND INSPECTION
Fig. 07: visual inspection spark plugs
Examine the firing ends of the plugs, noting the type of deposits and the degree of electrode erosion. The various types of spark plug fouling and the normal condition of the spark plug after usage is shown in Fig. 7.
Oil fouling (Fig. 7) is usually identified by wet, sludgy deposits. These are traceable to excessive oil entering the combustion chamber through worn rings and pistons, excessive clearance between the valve guides and stems, or worn or loose bearings.
Gas fouling (Fig. 7) is usually identified by dry, black, fluffy deposits, which result from incomplete combustion. Too rich a fuel-air mixture can cause incomplete burning. In addition, a defective coil, defective breaker points, or a defective ignition cable can reduce the voltage supplied to the spark plug and cause misfiring.
Burned or overheated spark plugs (Fig. 7) are usually identified by a white, burned, or blistered insulator nose and badly eroded electrodes. Inefficient engine cooling, improper ignition timing, the wrong type of fuel, or loose spark plugs can cause general overheating.
Normal conditions (Fig. 7 left) where regular or unleaded gasolines have been used are usually identified by a rusty-brown to grayish-tan, powdery deposit and minor electrode erosion, indicating proper ignition and combustion conditions.
Normal conditions (Fig. 7 right) where highly leaded gasolines have been used are usually identified by white, powdery deposits. If the spark plugs are cleaned at recommended intervals and normal service conditions are encountered, these deposits have little effect on plug performance. However, prolonged high-speed, high load operation will fuse these deposits to form a yellowish glaze. At high temperatures, this glaze may be conductive, resulting in spark plug “missing” or fouling.
Clean the plugs on a sand blast cleaner, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not prolong the use of the abrasive blast as it will wear the insulator. Remove carbon and other deposits from the threads with a stiff wire brush. These threads are the means of carrying the heat away from the plug. Any deposits will retard the heat flow from the plug to the cylinder head, causing spark plug overheating and pre-ignition.
Clean the electrode surface with a small file. Dress the electrodes to secure flat parallel surfaces on both the center and side electrode. Do not file the ground electrode too thin as pre-ignition may result.
After cleaning, examine the plug carefully for cracked or broken insulators, badly pitted electrodes, or other signs of failure. Replace as required.
ADJUSTMENT
Set the spark plug gap (0.032-0.036 inch) by bending the ground electrode.
TESTING
Set the gap, then test the plugs on a testing machine. Compare the sparking efficiency of the cleaned and regapped plug with a new plug. Replace the plug if it fails to meet requirements.
Test the plugs for compression leakage at the insulator seal. Apply a coating of oil to the shoulder of the plug where the insulator projects through the shell, and to the top of the plug, where the center electrode and terminal project from the insulator. Place the plug under pressure. Leakage is indicated by air bubbling through the oil. If the test indicates compression leakage, replace the plug. If the plug is satisfactory, wipe it clean.
INSTALLATION
Clean the area around the spark plug port to insure proper seating of the plug. Install the plugs, then tighten each plug to 15-20 foot-poundf torque.
High Tension (Secondary) Wires
The high tension wires include the wires connecting the distributor cap to the spark plugs and the wire connecting the center terminal of the distributor cap to the center terminal of the ignition coil.
At regular intervals, clean and inspect the wires for cracked insulation and loose terminals. Repair or replace the wires as required.
To remove the wires from the spark plugs, grasp the molded cap only. Do not pull on the wire, as this may separate the wire connection inside the cap or damage the weather seal.
REPLACEMENT—6-CYLINDER ENGINE
Fig. 08: ignition wiring – 6-Cylinder Engine
A spark plug wire set (Fig. 8) is available for service.
Removal
Disconnect the wires at the spark plugs and at the distributor cap. Remove the weather seals on the distributor end of the wires and the rubber rings. Discon-nect the ignition coil to distributor high tension wire assembly from the coil and distributor cap.
Installation
- Install a rubber ring on the No. 3 and 4 wires, and on No. 5 and 6 wires. Connect the wires to the proper spark plugs.
- Install the weather seals on the distributor end of the wires, and insert the ends of the wires in the correct sockets in the distributor cap. Be sure the wires are forced all the way down into their sockets and that they are held firmly in position. Each socket is identified on the cap. Install the wires in a clockwise direction in the firing order 1-5-3-6-2-4.
- Install the coil to distributor wire, and push all weather seals into position
REPLACEMENT—8-CYLINDER ENGINE
Fig. 09: ignition wiring – 8-Cylinder Engine
A spark plug wire set (Fig. 9) is available for service.
Removal
Remove the mounting brackets, disconnect the wires from the spark plugs and distributor cap. Pull the wires from the brackets and remove the wires.
Installation
- Install new wires in the brackets. Be sure the wires are positioned correctly in the bracket. Install weather seals on the distributor ends of the wires.
- Insert each wire in the proper distributor cap socket. Be sure the wires are forced all the way down into their sockets. The No. 1 socket is identified by the number “1” stamped on the cap. Install the wires in a counterclockwise direction in the firing order 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. Cylinders are numbered from front to rear-right bank, 1-2-3-4; left bank, 5-6-7-8.
- Connect the wires to the proper spark plugs, then install the coil to distributor high tension lead. Push all weather seals into position.
Ignition Timing
Fig. 10: timing marks – 6-cylinder engine
The 6-cylinder engine is equipped with a crankshaft damper having five timing marks (Fig. 10). The long mark represents top dead center (T.D.C.) and each succeeding mark represents 3°, 5°, 7°, and 9°, respectively, before top dead center (B.T.D.C). These marks, and a pointer welded to the cylinder front cover, are used to time the engine.
Fig. 11: timing marks – 8-cylinder engine
The 8-cylinder engine is equipped with a crankshaft damper having six timing marks (Fig. 11). The long mark represents T.D.C. and each succeeding mark represents 2°, 4°, 6°, 8°, and 10°, respectively, B.T.D.C. These marks and a pointer, bolted to the water pump, are used to time the engine.
INITIAL TIMING
The initial timing should be set as follows:
4° B.T.D.C.—6-cylinder cars with a conventional drive or overdrive transmission.
3° B.T.D.C—8-cylinder cars with a conventional drive or overdrive transmission.
6° B.T.D.C.—All 6 or 8-cylinder cars equipped with Fordomatic.
If the distributor has been removed from a 6-cylinder engine, be sure the oil pump intermediate shaft engages the seat in the oil pump. On 8-cylinderengines, make sure the distributor shaft engages the oil pump intermediate hex shaft. It may be necessary to crank the engine with the starter, after the distributor drive gear is partially engaged, in order to engage the intermediate shaft.
CHECKING TIMING WITH A TIMING LIGHT
- Disconnect the distributor vacuum line, then connect the timing light high tension lead to the No. 1 spark plug and the other two leads of the timing light to the battery terminals.
- Clean the dirt from the timing marks, and if necessary, chalk the proper mark and the pointer to improve legibility.
- Operate the engine at idle speed. The timing light should flash just as the proper mark lines up with the pointer, indicating correct timing The operator’s eye should be in line with the center of the damper and the timing pointer.
- If the proper timing mark and the pointer do not line up, rotate the distributor until the correct mark and the pointer are in line. On 6-cylinder cars, timing is advanced by counter-clockwise rotation of the distributor body, and retarded by clockwise rotation. On 8-cylinder cars, the timing is advanced by clockwise rotation of the distributor body, and retarded by counterclockwise rotation.
- After the ignition timing has been properly set, connect the distributor vacuum line, then check the distributor to determine if the advance mechanism is operating. To do this, hold the timing light so that the timing marks and pointer can be seen, and accelerate the engine. If no advance is evident, one of the following is the probable cause; no vacuum available at the distributor, vacuum advance diaphragm leaking or disconnected from the breaker plate, centrifugal advance not functioning properly (8-cylinder engine), breaker plate binding in the housing or on the bushing.
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