Weaklink Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Inherited car from mom. Car sat all winter. Ran OK when it was parked, now will not start. Was not getting any spark at first. I have cleaned-up all the electrical connections and now have some spark at plug, but still won't start, even with starting fluid. Never fires. So I am going to give it a tune-up. Wires/cap/points/condenser/plugs etc. Everything is pretty old/crusty/dirty. I hate to go down to Auto-Zone and ask the kid for cap/rotor/points for my car, because you never know what you'll get. Anyone have a better place to source parts? I don't want to go to the store 12 times trying parts that might fit.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31plymouth Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 Auto zone will not have parts for a 32 Plymouth. Where are you located? Maybe there is an AACA member close to you that can help. Could be many reasons why it won't start. Do you have any pictures of the engine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobileparts Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 I have the Points, Condenser, Rotor, and Cap in all Quality U.S.A. made parts.... There were no Wire Sets made for them -- I have the wire, boots, and terminals to custom cut you a fresh set... Always best to simply call me --- Craig --- 516 - 485 - 1935.... New York ...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weaklink Posted April 3, 2021 Author Share Posted April 3, 2021 I'm pretty sure it's weak/no spark. My father was a diesel mechanic and I've rebuilt a few engines, so I'm not 100% illiterate. It was running last year, although getting harder to start after sitting for a while. I hit it with the starting fluid, but it has not fired one time. Coil has 6V in. Getting some spark at plug after cleaning everything. Spark plugs were pretty grimy, so sand-blasted. The plug wires are pretty loosey-goosey, as with most other connections, so even if that is not 100% my current issue, I want to replace all and start fresh. The point actually look pretty good and the gap was correct, but I hit with file just to be sure. Not sure how to test a condenser. Anyways, I'm not poor, and don't mind the parts swap, so I think that's where I want to start. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knobless Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 6 hours ago, Weaklink said: I'm pretty sure it's weak/no spark. My father was a diesel mechanic and I've rebuilt a few engines, so I'm not 100% illiterate. It was running last year, although getting harder to start after sitting for a while. I hit it with the starting fluid, but it has not fired one time. Coil has 6V in. Getting some spark at plug after cleaning everything. Spark plugs were pretty grimy, so sand-blasted. The plug wires are pretty loosey-goosey, as with most other connections, so even if that is not 100% my current issue, I want to replace all and start fresh. The point actually look pretty good and the gap was correct, but I hit with file just to be sure. Not sure how to test a condenser. Anyways, I'm not poor, and don't mind the parts swap, so I think that's where I want to start. Posts some picture love to see it, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knobless Posted April 3, 2021 Share Posted April 3, 2021 6 hours ago, Weaklink said: I'm pretty sure it's weak/no spark. My father was a diesel mechanic and I've rebuilt a few engines, so I'm not 100% illiterate. It was running last year, although getting harder to start after sitting for a while. I hit it with the starting fluid, but it has not fired one time. Coil has 6V in. Getting some spark at plug after cleaning everything. Spark plugs were pretty grimy, so sand-blasted. The plug wires are pretty loosey-goosey, as with most other connections, so even if that is not 100% my current issue, I want to replace all and start fresh. The point actually look pretty good and the gap was correct, but I hit with file just to be sure. Not sure how to test a condenser. Anyways, I'm not poor, and don't mind the parts swap, so I think that's where I want to start. Maybe just a cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hchris Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 The fact that you've got spark at at the plugs would suggest a fuel problem, start spray or not I would be looking down the fuel path; assuming timing hasn't been messed with ? Is it possible to take off the air cleaner and tip a bit (I'm talking a couple of spoonfuls) of fresh fuel down the carb throat and see if it kicks ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broker-len Posted April 4, 2021 Share Posted April 4, 2021 (edited) is your car a PB ? I have a 32 PA simular motor to yours I get a kick from those car owners that hunt for a problem by just replacing EVERY THING !!!!! if no spark could be points or the sensitive way the screw goes through the side of distributor could short ,,,easy to just replace condenser they do have a shelf life----or check spark at coil I also clean plugs with a low pressure sand blaster and blow with air gun make sure the manifold is tight against the block -----vacuum leak----do a compression test of the cylinders what carb do you have ? was a BB1 from factory easy to take apart and clean make sure your fuel pump bowl and filter is clean I took my tank down, cleaned and coated starting fluid is not the best thing to use removes oil from cylinders if you must,, get the one with lub in the formula ---- it is a lot harder to do it right you can contact me bobnroman@yahoo.com Edited April 4, 2021 by broker-len (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Walt G Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 Craig at Mobile Parts is a great guy, have bought from his family business when they had a store 15 minutes south of me as far back as the early 1960s! That was when I owned a 1931 Plymouth Pa sedan ( which I absolutely loved but got to tall to drive comfortably) . If any of you want to read more about Plymouths how about any of you who have been in this a long time commenting on the early days of the Plymouth Club when it was called the Plymouth 4 Cylinder Owners Club - but also included the 6 cylinder cars up through 1948? It was a vital single make club then, heck Jay Fisher drove ( read that again - drove) his 1929 Plymouth roadster to Detroit from NJ and had photos taken on the assembly line there when they were making Plymouths! Earl Buton, Ed Hegaman, Don and Mona Behnke, Stan Marcum , Gail Keith, Roy Jordan, Tony Cavanna, anyone remember those people? All part of the heritage of the Plymouth Club - the annual banquet dinner at Hershey at a place east of downtown Hershey ? I was named Publicity Manager of the Club when I was 16 years old! Walt 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31plymouth Posted April 5, 2021 Share Posted April 5, 2021 5 hours ago, Walt G said: Earl Buton, Ed Hegaman, Don and Mona Behnke, Stan Marcum , Gail Keith, Roy Jordan, Tony Cavanna, anyone remember those people? Just finished writing an article for Plymouth Owners Club about my 50 years with my PA sedan and my 50 years with the Plymouth owners Club. Bob Mcmulkin on Long Island was a great source for technical info. when he was Tech advisor for the Club. Bought a fuel pump from Stan in 1972. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weaklink Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 That's for the replies. I just left a message for Craig Mobile Parts. I already made a new set of wires; the existing ones were terrible, not sure how it ever ran..... Installed new plugs. There appears to be some sort of ground wire attached to the side of the distributor to the engine block that is half-fried/chewed-up, so going to clean that up. Making progress.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Beautiful car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31plymouth Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Is that a 32 PA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weaklink Posted April 7, 2021 Author Share Posted April 7, 2021 Yes, '32 PA. I got it running tonight. New plugs & wires. New distributor ground wire. Strong spark now. Plugged vacuum leak at intake manifold tee for windshield wiper vacuum. One shot of starting fluid and off to the races. Craig is going to hook me up with some spares. Hope to get another 89 years out of her.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broker-len Posted April 7, 2021 Share Posted April 7, 2021 Weaklink---------------since the distributor is not bolted down buy is free to turn with the vacuum unit it is a good idea to use a auxiliary ground from it to the block-- must make sure the distributor has a good ground----not sure if the factory put on when car was new Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobileparts Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 Just came upon this thread in my travels -- nice looking car, indeed. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Ron..... Yours, Craig..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
31plymouth Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 More pictures please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weaklink Posted April 11, 2021 Author Share Posted April 11, 2021 UPDATE: Drove the car around the neighborhood yesterday for about 20 minutes. Started great, ran like a champ, idled like a sewing machine. Wife went to go take for a spin today; would not start. She told me, I went to go start it. Turns over fine, not firing at all. I pull a spark plug and tell her to turn it over. NO SPARK. WTF!?!. Did a quick inventory of wire connections, dist cap, point gap, etc. Was running like a top when I pulled it into garage yesterday. Today, nothing... Condenser? Coil? I'm beyond pissed to even look further today.... If it were my decision, I would sell and buy wife a new Mazda Miata or Mercedes Convertible.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broker-len Posted April 11, 2021 Share Posted April 11, 2021 (edited) SORRY TO HEAR THAT good looking auto Edited April 11, 2021 by broker-len (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 It will be something simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 A couple of quick checks with a voltmeter around the coil and points should help guide you to the problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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