Guest wbonebrake Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Hello! I am fairly new to the whole 6V ignition system, but assuming that it works on the same theory as a 12V ignition system. Here's the situation: I have a 1949 Chrysler Windsor with the original 251 Flathead 6. The motor was seized, so I disassembled it, rebuilt it, got it to turn over freely, etc. Well, I cannot seem to get any spark to get it to fire up. I have replaced the coil, points, condenser, etc, all to no avail. Any ideas where I may be going wrong? Thanks in advance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen_Dyneto Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 It's really essentially no different that a 12-volt conventional ignition system with the exception of no ballast resister, so apply exactly the same trouble-shooting technique. Are you sure the ignition switch is functioning (is there primary current at the coil?). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wbonebrake Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 You know, I haven't checked that yet. To do this I would turn the key on and check the neg lead on the coil, correct? When it comes to electrical, I am horrible! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Yes, and if no fire there, just run a jumper from battery to coil, therby bypassing the switch. You should be able to jumper to the starter as well. Ben 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 For a Chrysler-specific "manual", you can find all of the Chrysler Master Tech training books in the back of the OnlineImperialClub.com website.Don't forget to have the battery "ground" in the appropriate direction. Most 12V systems were "negative" ground, but most of the 6V systems were "positive" ground. This not only affects the way the Generator gauge operates (showing "+" charge when the engine's runing rather than "-", if the ground is not correct). IF the system is incorrectly grounded, then you'll need to go through the procedure to "re-polarize" the generator so it'll work correctly.Keep us posted on your progress . . .NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmallregular Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hello! I am fairly new to the whole 6V ignition system, but assuming that it works on the same theory as a 12V ignition system. Here's the situation: I have a 1949 Chrysler Windsor with the original 251 Flathead 6. The motor was seized, so I disassembled it, rebuilt it, got it to turn over freely, etc. Well, I cannot seem to get any spark to get it to fire up. I have replaced the coil, points, condenser, etc, all to no avail. Any ideas where I may be going wrong? Thanks in advance!All Kettering ignition systems work the same way, regardless of voltage or polarity. There are some minor differences in details with polarity and voltage, but general operation is consistent.Here's a quick way to check what's going on using a test light. You can use a 12 volt light on a six volt system, it just won't be very bright. You can also use an analog meter, but a test light is easier to watch. Digital meters don't do well at measuring pulses...First, check to make sure the light is working and has a good ground. Attach the clip to a ground and touch the probe to a known hot source or the hot battery post - light should light.Touch the probe to the following points, crank the engine, and observe the light:Hot (battery) side of coil - light should be "on" steady. No light means you're not getting power to the coil. Light pulsing on or off, or varying in intensity, means you have a high resistance connection somewhere in the power circuit.Point side of coil - light should pulse as the points open and close..."on" when points are open, "off" when points are closed. Steady "on" means either the points aren't closing or the wire between the coil and points is broken. Steady "off" means either the points aren't opening or something (most likely the wire between the coil and points) is shorted to ground.If the points are in fact opening and closing correctly, as indicated by the test light pulsing when the engine is cranked, you should have spark at the output of the coil. You can check this by pulling the coil wire from the center of the distributor and holding the distributor end near the engine block while cranking (not with your fingers unless you like getting zapped). You should have a nice fat blue spark at least 1/4" long. No spark at the output of the coil (and asuming the points are working correctly as determined above) means either a bad coil or a bad condenser. A weak yellow spark is generally a bad condenser.If you have spark at the output of the coil, reconnect it to the center post of the distributor, and repeat the check for spark at the end of one or more spark plug wires. If you have spark at the coil but not at the plugs, you most likely have either a bad/broken rotor, a bad distributor cap, or bad high tension wires.If you have spark at the plugs, check to make sure the distributor was timed correctly when the engine was assembled. As each cylinder comes up on compression, the rotor should point to the corresponding terminal on the distributor cap. If you set static timing so that the points just open (use the test light) at top dead center, the engine should run. Once it's running, you can set timing per the applicable manual.Keith 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240b Posted March 23, 2022 Share Posted March 23, 2022 On 1/3/2012 at 6:34 PM, Ben Bruce aka First Born said: Yes, and if no fire there, just run a jumper from battery to coil, therby bypassing the switch. You should be able to jumper to the starter as well. Ben what gauge jumper will work? mine doing the same thing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted March 25, 2022 Share Posted March 25, 2022 Use about the same gauge wire as the current primary (small) wires on the coil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 I am going to guess about 18 gauge wire should do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted April 4, 2022 Share Posted April 4, 2022 No spark at all? Or no spark when #1 is at TDC? Many people don't take the time to set the oil pump timing, so that the the keyway at the end of the oil pump shaft is set for #1 TDC. When #1 is at TDC the distributor rotor should at 7 o'clock approximately when looking down at it, in the distributor housing. Many are set 180 degrees out. So The rotor is pointing to about 2 o'clock. Confirm you have 6V at ignition key in. Then 6V out when key is on. Ensure wires to the coil and from coil are correct. Tight. Not frayed. No exposed wires. Ensure wire where it enters distributor is not able to touch ground. It is supposed to be insulated from ground here. Ensure small wires inside distributor are all in tact and not frayed, loose, or somehow grounding. Ensure dwell is set so points are fully closing as rotor turns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtech Posted April 5, 2022 Share Posted April 5, 2022 What Farmall said. Some of these had a flat connector to the points and it's real easy to have it grounded. Don't know if that is on yours, but one Chrysler problem i've seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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