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1939 commander ignition trouble


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Jeffery: Judging from your brief description, were this my car, I'd install a new set of points and a condenser, and not spray anything on them. Then I'd try a different ignition coil. A deteriorating coil can temporarily "die" when it gets hot. Also, be sure all your electrical connections in the primary ignition circuit (battery to the points) are tight and clean; bare-metal to bare-metal. A weak electrical connection can drop voltage as it warms.

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Bifda has a good thought for sure, and here is another idea- ie from a VW Bug that would do the same thing many years ago. I had taken it to several mechanics and all that did was lighten my wallet. Finally, I was just chatting with a VW bug "nut" and he said " You have a worn out distributor. You need to replace the whole thing."

I did, and viola, the problem was completely cleared up! I realize this is an expensive choice, but maybe, just maybe??? He shared that it happened to "Bugs" when they got hot. Sounds as if your problem is similar???

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Might there be an intermittent earthing problem? The original battery earth was from battery to battery box (and thence chassis) to engine.

All the connectors in the Studebaker ignition system are zinc or cadmium plated brass on steel bolts and nuts - i.e. each connection is a wee galvanic cell. The zinc corrodes and the corrosion products do not conduct well. I had about 2 Volts at the coil when I eventually measured it. No wonder it was hard to start, hard to keep running and ran poorly.

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Sounds like a bad coil, but do you have overdrive? If so the kickdown switch might be grounding.

Quick check for the coil; the next time it dies, spray some water on the body of the coil to cool it down, and then see if the engine immediately restarts.

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