Timing Adjusting On A 41 Ford Flat Head V8

[johns29]

Okay, I just bought a 41 Ford Super Deluxe. Wife and I took it out for a ride last night and all was good. Well today I took it out for gas and put in a lead additive in the gas. After filling up at the station I hit the starter button and just one short grunt...Had I guy with a jump box, and it cranked right up. The guy I bought from put in an eight-volt battery in it. came home and started a little research. I read that the timing might a little off. Then I remembered as a young guy on our old cars sometimes we had that same problem. Pulled in the garage turned it off and same thing, nothing. Checked the battery and it showed 8.2 volts on an 8-volt battery. To me that says the generator is charging. Otherwise, it would have been running off the battery. Now, my question is: Is it a little off on timing or maybe a weak coil? I recall that also in the past 1960's Any help or suggestions would be very appreciated. Thanks in advance.  John   

[19tom40]

If your timing is off the points are worn or someone maladjusted the points. I doubt that timing is your problem.

 

Test your battery voltage under load by connecting the volt meter across the battery and trying to crank the engine with the starter.  An 8 volt battery should read at least 6.5 volts.

 

The way I would trouble shoot your problem is to check the voltage drop from the battery to the starter terminal (black lead on battery terminal, red lead on starter) the voltage reading should be 0.3V or less. If it is higher you may have corroded or incorrect cables, bad solenoid or bad starter.

[johns29]

10 hours ago, 19tom40 said:

If your timing is off the points are worn or someone maladjusted the points. I doubt that timing is your problem.

 

Test your battery voltage under load by connecting the volt meter across the battery and trying to crank the engine with the starter.  An 8 volt battery should read at least 6.5 volts.

 

The way I would trouble shoot your problem is to check the voltage drop from the battery to the starter terminal (black lead on battery terminal, red lead on starter) the voltage reading should be 0.3V or less. If it is higher you may have corroded or incorrect cables, bad solenoid or bad starter.

I will do those things and see what I get. Thanks a lot for the info!!

[johns29]

On 9/6/2022 at 10:23 AM, 19tom40 said:

If your timing is off the points are worn or someone maladjusted the points. I doubt that timing is your problem.

 

Test your battery voltage under load by connecting the volt meter across the battery and trying to crank the engine with the starter.  An 8 volt battery should read at least 6.5 volts.

 

The way I would trouble shoot your problem is to check the voltage drop from the battery to the starter terminal (black lead on battery terminal, red lead on starter) the voltage reading should be 0.3V or less. If it is higher you may have corroded or incorrect cables, bad solenoid or bad starter.

I was talking to an oldtimer today and said I should short across the pos and negative on the voltage regulator while it's running and it will start charging. He said you have to do that every time you disconnect the battery, I will have to think about that one. I seem to recall back in the 60's we did do that to reverse polarity on the regulator. It's been way too long to remember those things. LOL.

[19tom40]

Check the voltage at the BAT terminal with the engine running at about 1,200 RPM it should be about 9.2V.Do NOT follow his instructions as you could damage the generator or voltage regulator.

[johns29]

10 hours ago, 19tom40 said:

Check the voltage at the BAT terminal with the engine running at about 1,200 RPM it should be about 9.2V.Do NOT follow his instructions as you could damage the generator or voltage regulator.

I will do that.. Thanks, John