SuperHoser Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Hello all, An old fellow I know has a 1918 Mclaughlin-Buick with exposed rocker Buick 4cyl, and it doesn't have spark. He says it ran three years ago, but I don't know if might have been much longer than that. I've not dealt with magneto ignition before, so any tips on diagnosing lack of spark would be apprecited. Thanks, David. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 It has a standard Delco ignition......points rotor condenser cap generator coil plugs. What's throwing you off is the coil looks like a small mailbox. I wouldn't know it was a coil either, from looking at it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtech Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Start by confirming power to the coil. It is on top of the starter/generator. Is it the original coil? a picture of the right side would be good. The condenser is built in to the bottom of the coil. If power check the points. in the distributor. Careful with the cap, rare and expensive. The points must be clean and open and close properly without sticking. that's a start. If it is a modern coil then there must be a condenser separate in the system. Please post a picture so we know what we are looking at. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 Need a picture of the other side of the engine to help walk you through the checks. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted August 22, 2022 Share Posted August 22, 2022 A weak point in the mailobox coil is that small resistor on the front. A dead coil might be just a blown resistor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperHoser Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 Ok, thank you all; a picture of the other side of the engine will have to wait until next Monday, when I go to see him next. The owner's eighty-four, and his right arm doesn't work anymore due to a stroke. He wants this car running again, so I'll give it a shot. I have a decent amount of mechanical experience. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperHoser Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 DonMicheletti, can that resistor be replaced seperately? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 44 minutes ago, SuperHoser said: Ok, thank you all; a picture of the other side of the engine will have to wait until next Monday, when I go to see him next. The owner's eighty-four, and his right arm doesn't work anymore due to a stroke. He wants this car running again, so I'll give it a shot. I have a decent amount of mechanical experience. Specifically, where are you located? There are a lot of us around North America and other places that might be able to help you in person. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperHoser Posted August 23, 2022 Author Share Posted August 23, 2022 Larry, I'm on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtech Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 3 hours ago, SuperHoser said: DonMicheletti, can that resistor be replaced seperately? The resistor is external and can be repaired/replaced if necessary. Here's one repair. 😁 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 You won't tell us how many ohms? Enquiring minds.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old buicks 2 Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 I have them available NOS I also have NOS point sets, rotor and distributor cap for this car. tsvanmeet@gmail.com or 402-359-5762 Tom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldtech Posted August 23, 2022 Share Posted August 23, 2022 Another thing. The moving point is grounded. The fixed one is the insulated one. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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